Controversy Trails Demotion Of Principal By Edo Education Commissioner

By Jethro Ibileke

The Principal of Imaguero Senior Secondary School, in Benin City, Edo State, (name withheld), has been reportedly demoted by the State Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Joan Oviawe, without query.

The embattled Secondary School head was said to have been demoted to a classroom teacher, allegedly over failure to ensure that the school’s power generator was in good working condition during the biometric registration exercise for the West African Examinations Senior Secondary School (WASSCE) candidates in the school’s hall.

Unconfirmed sources however alleged that the actual reason for her demotion was due to a ‘personal disagreement’ with the Commissioner when she visited the school on March 21, 2022.

The demotion was also said to have fallen short of the civil service rule, which recommends issuance of query before the demotion.

Sources at the school alleged that Mrs. Oviawe intimidated the demoted Principal to keep her in check and to weaken solidarity against the ‘unpopular decision’.

The Commissioner was further accused of high-handedness and fighting several unseen enemies in the Ministry since she was appointed as Chairman of State University Basic Education Board (SUBEB) before her elevation as the State Commissioner for Education.

But, in her reaction to enquiry via a text message, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Joan Oviawe, challenged the demoted Principal to disclose details of what actually transpired between them.

She said: “Why would I have a personal disagreement with a teacher? That is ludicrous. The teacher should please state what happened.”
PM News