The Edo State Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights has strongly criticized the State Ministry of Education for allegedly compelling public school teachers to perform menial tasks such as cutting grass and cleaning school premises.
In a statement released to journalists on Monday, September 1, 2025, in Benin City, the group expressed outrage over the reported practice. ‘
The statement was jointly signed by Marxist Kola Edokpayi, Coordinator General, and Comrade Aghatise Raphael, Secretary General of the coalition.
The organization emphasized that teachers were hired to educate—not to serve as gardeners, janitors, or cleaners.
It condemned the alleged directive as degrading and unacceptable, warning that if the government fails to halt the practice, the coalition will mobilize protests and pursue legal action.
According to the group, the move not only disrespects the teaching profession but also constitutes a clear violation of human rights and labour standards.
They urged the government to recruit and fairly compensate dedicated support staff to manage school maintenance, rather than burdening educators with duties outside their professional scope.
“The Edo State Civil Society Coalition For Human Rights is outraged by the disgraceful and demeaning practice of compelling teachers in Edo public schools to cut grass and perform menial labour at the directive of the Ministry of Education.
“This is not only an insult to the teaching profession but also a blatant violation of human rights and labour ethics.
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“Teachers are the backbone of society and nation-builders entrusted with shaping the minds of our children. 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.
“We state clearly that teachers are not slaves, and schools are not forced labour camps. This backward practice belongs to the dark past and must never be tolerated in a state that claims to value education.
“Any nation that treats its teachers with contempt is preparing its own burial ground. Forcing teachers into menial labour is not education reform, it is educational slavery.
“It is worth stressing that this practice violates Section 34 (1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), which guarantees that “no person shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.
“By compelling teachers to engage in work outside their professional mandate under duress, the Edo State Ministry of Education stands in direct breach of this constitutional safeguard.
“Adding weight to our demands, we extract these quotes from the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, where, he said, “we will place teachers on top priority, and we’ll reverse the shortage of teachers through continuous recruitment of qualified teachers.
“To work is to pray, but we insisted that the sacred work of a teacher is to teach, not to clear bushes. Forcing them otherwise is against the law and will not be tolerated.
“An injury to one teacher is an injury to all. Edo State must respect its teachers or face the resistance of its people,” the statement said.
The group called on the state government to uphold accountability by ensuring that funds earmarked for school maintenance are utilized transparently and not unfairly transferred as responsibilities to teachers.
In response, the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, stated that available information within the ministry indicated that the menial tasks were undertaken voluntarily by some teachers as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
His remarks were issued in a statement titled “To Stakeholders in the Education Ecosystem: RE: Edo Civil Society Raises Concern Over Teachers in Some Schools Being Asked to Perform Menial Maintenance Tasks.”
Dr. Iyamu further revealed that a comprehensive investigation has been launched into the matter, affirming the government’s commitment to uncovering the truth and addressing any irregularities that may be found.
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