By: Sunday Ameh
Teachers and staff of Government Day Secondary School, Amule, Ilorin, Kwara State, were left embarrassed and dehumanized after the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (KWASUBEB), Professor Raheem Adaramaja, allegedly ordered them — including the Vice Principal — to sweep the school premises during an inspection visit.
According to information obtained by SaharaReporters, the incident occurred on Monday when the SUBEB Chairman, said to be acting on the directive of Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, arrived at the school unannounced and accused the staff of maintaining a dirty and unkempt environment.
Despite explanations that students had just resumed from their break period and that the littering was a result of the resumption activities, Professor Adaramaja reportedly insisted that the teachers clean up the premises immediately. Witnesses described the incident as “humiliating” and “demeaning,” noting that the order was carried out in full view of the students.
“It was so shameful,” said one of the teachers who spoke on condition of anonymity.
“The Chairman, who himself is a former teacher, humiliated us before our students — the same students we are supposed to inspire and lead by example.”
The act has since drawn sharp criticism from the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ilorin East Branch. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the branch chairman, Comrade Saka Saafi O. Adanla, condemned the actions of the SUBEB Chairman, describing them as “totally unacceptable and uncalled for.”
“Teachers are not janitors. The humiliation and disrespect meted out to our members by the SUBEB Chairman is completely unacceptable,” Adanla said.
“We demand an immediate and unreserved apology from Professor Adaramaja.”
Adanla assured the affected teachers that the state leadership of the NUT had been informed of the incident and was taking steps to ensure that their dignity and rights are protected.
“We are on top of the situation and will ensure that our members are not treated with such disdain again. We commend their continued dedication to duty despite these challenges,” he added.
The incident has sparked outrage among education stakeholders and residents of the state, many of whom described the action as “a disturbing display of administrative arrogance” and called on Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq to intervene and ensure accountability.
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