Edo Govt Faces Backlash Over Alleged Compulsory Grass-Cutting for Teachers

The Edo State Government has come under criticism following allegations that public school teachers were compelled to cut grass and perform menial labour on the directive of the Ministry of Education.

In a statement issued on Monday, September 1, 2025, in Benin City, the Edo State Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights described the practice as “disgraceful and demeaning.” The statement was jointly signed by the group’s Coordinator General, Marxist Kola Edokpayi, and Secretary General, Comrade Aghatise Raphael.

According to the coalition, teachers are employed to impart knowledge, not to serve as gardeners, cleaners, or janitors. It warned that if the state government fails to halt the practice, protests and legal action would follow.

“This is not only an insult to the teaching profession but also a blatant violation of human rights and labour ethics,” the group declared. “Teachers are the backbone of society. Reducing them to gardeners and cleaners is a shameful act of abuse and a slap in the face of every hardworking educator in Edo State.”

The coalition cited Section 34 (1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits forced or compulsory labour, insisting that the alleged directive breached constitutional safeguards. It urged the state to employ adequate support staff for school maintenance instead of shifting responsibilities onto teachers.

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Quoting Governor Monday Okpebholo’s earlier pledge to prioritise teachers, the group reminded the government that “the sacred work of a teacher is to teach, not to clear bushes.”

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, denied that teachers were compelled into such tasks. In a counter-statement titled “To Stakeholders in the Education Ecosystem: RE: Edo Civil Society raises concern over teachers in some schools being asked to do menial maintenance jobs”, Iyamu said available information indicated that some teachers voluntarily engaged in the work as part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

He disclosed that a full-scale investigation had been ordered to verify the claims and assured that the government would address any “abnormality in whatever form.”

“The Edo State Government remains resolute in upholding the rights and privileges of all,” the commissioner said. “Teachers’ priority is transfer of learning, so we want to discourage in very strong terms teachers forcibly engaging in tasks that do not directly strengthen learning outcomes.”

Iyamu also cautioned against attempts to smear the ministry’s reputation, noting that ongoing reforms were designed to protect the interests of children and ensure equity in the education sector.

He further listed recent efforts to improve teachers’ welfare, including a new minimum wage, regularisation of casual teachers, construction of teachers’ quarters, and continuous training programmes.