Earlier on Friday, February 21, 2025, the Cross River Commissioner for Education, Senator (Associate Prof) Stephen Odey, accompanied by his Ministry Directors, Mr. Cyril Itam, Director of Special Duties, and Mrs. Ngozi Offiong, Director of Quality Assurance, conducted an unscheduled visit to various schools in Odukpani Local Government Area. At 7:45 am, the Commissioner arrived at St. Patrick Primary School Adiabo, Odukpani Local Government Area, where only one teacher was present out of 35 teaching staff. The Commissioner commended Mrs. Vivian Edim Edet for her diligence and punctuality while directing those defaulting teachers and their Headteacher to be queried and report to his office on Monday, February 24, 2025, for necessary disciplinary actions.
The Commissioner also visited Government Primary School, New Netim Odukpani LGA at 8:10 am, where two teachers out of 18 were present; the Headteacher, was also absent. The Commissioner, who was disappointed at the teachers’ lazity towards their job, instructed all affected staff to be issued queries and report to the Ministry Headquarters in Calabar for further disciplinary action.
The Commissioner proceeded to St. Theresa’s Primary School, Odukpani Central, where, upon arrival, met only eight teachers present out of 21. The Headteacher and Deputy were also absent at the time of the visit. The Commissioner expressed shock and disappointment as some pupils were left without teachers to teach them in their various classes. The Commissioner who was visibly angry due to the absent of teachers in their duty post seriously frowned at all defaulting staff, directing the Director of Quality Assurance to issue queries to all defaulters and to report to the Ministry of Education Headquarters in Calabar for further disciplinary action.
In his beat to carry out his duty, the Commissioner and his team visited Government Secondary School, Odukpani Central, where six teachers out of 20 were present. He decried the nonchalant attitude of teachers towards their job, noting rowdiness and learners left unattended to. The Commissioner addressed the teachers present, reaffirming his stance on getting the system to work correctly, stating that all defaulting teachers will face a disciplinary panel. The unscheduled visit has come to stay, as he will visit all schools in the state as a routine, and the system must work. The Commissioner assured that Governor Apostle Prince Bassey Edet Otu is passionate and determined to transform the education sector, and all stakeholders must complement government efforts to achieve the desired outcome.
