Some residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have written to their minister, Nyesom Wike to probe alleged irregularities that characterised the recent appointment of over 40 Grade-A school directors. 

This was seen in a letter addressed to the minister and made available to SaharaReporters on Friday, alleging that the whole processes of the appointment were marred with corruption. 

“As the FCT Education Secretariat deploys directors from various education agencies within the ministry to take over the affairs of Grade A junior secondary schools in the capital city in late July 2023, numerous anomalies have been discovered that warrant immediate investigation,” the letter reads. 

It said that freshly selected directors would be assigned to more than 40 Grade A schools in the FCT. 

However, the sharing of posts were biased and riddled with favouritism, nepotism, extremism, and corruption. 

"Notably, the dismissal of principals from the affected Grade A schools was selective and biassed. 

" In contrast to others who were sacked in July, performance was not a criterion. According to allegations, several principals received preferential treatment for retention or specific placements after bribing the Director UBEB (JSS).

The letter continued: “This Director fleeces principles who in turn run their schools to recover and make more money. Moreover, some principals removed in July were not even from Grade A schools. The Grade A schools whose principals were not replaced due to favouritism, nepotism and corruption include:

JSS Jikwoyi

JSS Bwari

JSS Bwari Central

JSS Kuje

JSS Karu

JSS Phase 3 Gwagwalada

JSS Old Kutunku Gwagwalada

JSS Area 10

JSS Durumi I

GSS Kuje

JSS Dei-Dei

JSS Dutse Sagwari

GSS Gwagwalada

JSS Area 11

Additionally, some schools in Kwali and Abaji Area Councils were also implicated.

“Furthermore, many of the directors deployed to FCT schools have never been part of the school system and are not physically fit to head these institutions. Their deployment is obviously  and severely impacting the quality of education in the FCT negatively. Some of these directors are too old and unwell to effectively manage the schools. Examples include: JSS FHA Lugbe, GSS Apo Resettlement.

“The policies concerning education in the FCT, especially secondary schools, appear to be selectively enforced. Last year, a policy mandated that any principal who had served for 10 years be posted to other departments. This policy was ignored this year, as principals who have served over 10 years remain in their positions, while others with have served less than 10 year were removed. Favored principals include those from:

JSS Bwari Central, JSS Bwari, JSS Jikwoyi, JSS Dukpa, JSS Yimi, JSS Kubwa, JSS Old Kutunku, and JSS Kubwa 2.

“Moreover, deputy directors who are overdue for promotion to directors were posted to the Quality Assurance Department of Education, specifically the Gudu District Library, which lacks basic facilities such as tables, chairs, and electricity, effectively rendering the department non-functional.

“These allegations must be investigated immediately to prevent the further degradation of junior secondary education in the FCT.

“Despite reporting these issues to the FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. OluSade Adesola, no corrective action has been taken. Urgent intervention is needed.

“Additionally, the policy of extending the age and years of service by 5 years in the FCT Education sector should be reconsidered. This extension, not binding on FCT as it is a state. It is not practiced by about 90% of states. Also, the policy is intended to return retired teachers to classrooms to improve the quality of teaching and strength of teaching experience staff, not as principals or directors. This policy creates bottlenecks, hindering employment opportunities and the promotion of young, capable education officers. The system is now top heavy with dim hope of education staff getting to the top.

“We urge your immediate attention to these matters to restore integrity and functionality to the FCT Education sector.”

SaharaReporters got across to the SUBEB office in Abuja but an official who was not authorised to speak confirmed the redeployment, saying it was in batches.