By Ohikwo Ahmed
Thirteen teachers at the Police Secondary School, Minna were relieved of their duties on Monday, sparking emotional scenes, after serving on temporary contracts for over 12 years.
The affected teachers, all university graduates or holders of the National Certificate in Education (NCE), said they were dismissed without prior notice.
They claimed that despite assurances of permanent employment through the Force Education Department in Abuja, their positions were instead filled by Youth Corp members when recruitment opportunities arose.
While 17 other temporary teachers were retained for a two-month period, the majority of the dismissed staff expressed concern over the sudden decision, noting their long-standing dedication and contributions to the school’s academic programmes.
Some of the affected teachers are widows, underscoring the socio-economic impact of the action.
The Chairman of the school’s Parents Teachers Association, Alhaji Sulaiman Mohammed, confirmed the dismissals and stated that attempts to reverse the decision were unsuccessful.
He added that while the PTA considered covering the teachers’ salaries, the financial burden—N40,000 per month for graduates and N30,000 for NCE holders—rendered it unsustainable.
Policy observers note that the incident highlights challenges in employment practices within educational institutions, emphasizing the need for clear contractual arrangements, fair human resource management, and adherence to due process to protect the welfare of long-serving staff.
