A storm is brewing in Edo State following allegations that public school teachers are being compelled to cut grass and carry out menial jobs by order of the Ministry of Education. A rights group, the Edo State Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights, has condemned the practice, describing it as dehumanising, illegal, and a direct assault on the dignity of teachers.
In a statement issued in Benin City on Monday, the group called the practice “disgraceful” and “a return to the dark ages,” while threatening mass protests and legal action if the Edo State Government does not immediately stop the practice.
The statement, jointly signed by Marxist Kola Edokpayi and Comrade Aghatise Raphael, Coordinator General and Secretary General of the coalition, described the situation as “a blatant violation of labour ethics and human rights.”
“Teachers are not gardeners, cleaners or janitors. They are nation-builders and deserve to be treated with respect, not forced into degrading labour,” the statement said.
According to the group, reports from several public schools in the state confirm that teachers are being directed by school authorities to engage in manual clearing of bushes and other menial tasks that fall outside their professional duties.
They noted that forcing teachers to engage in such work violates Section 34 (1)(c) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), which prohibits forced or compulsory labour.
“This is not education reform; it is educational slavery,” the group said. “Teachers are being turned into bush-clearers, in schools where government ought to provide adequate maintenance staff.”
The coalition also reminded the state of Governor Monday Okpebholo’s earlier promises to prioritise teachers’ welfare and education sector reform. They argued that the current situation directly contradicts those promises.
The rights group also questioned how funds meant for school maintenance are being used. According to them, if government had budgeted for janitors and maintenance workers, the burden should not be shifted onto teachers.
“Edo State must account for the money allocated to school maintenance. Our teachers must not bear the cost of government negligence,” the coalition added.
They called on the state government to recruit proper non-teaching staff such as cleaners, gardeners, and security personnel, and pay them adequately to handle such duties. The group insisted that every profession must be respected, and teachers must not be overworked or humiliated.
“An injury to one teacher is an injury to all. If this continues, we will take to the streets. Edo must respect its educators or face the resistance of its people,” they warned.
In reaction to the allegations, Edo State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, released a statement on Monday titled, “To Stakeholders in the Education Ecosystem”. He described the situation as “deeply concerning” and confirmed that a full investigation had been ordered.
Dr. Iyamu stated that initial findings suggest the menial labour may have been carried out voluntarily by some teachers as part of what he called Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). However, he made it clear that no teacher should be forced into duties unrelated to teaching.
“Teachers’ primary role is the transfer of learning. We discourage any forced engagement in tasks that do not directly improve learning outcomes,” the commissioner stated.
He assured the public that the state government is committed to correcting any irregularities uncovered during the investigation.
While defending the administration’s overall education reform agenda, the Commissioner listed several efforts made under Governor Okpebholo to support teachers in the state. These include:
Increment of teachers’ minimum wage
Conversion of casual teachers to permanent staff after three years
Construction of teachers’ quarters in some rural schools
Regular training and retraining of teachers
“This administration is determined to make every Edo teacher proud,” Iyamu added. “We are aware that some individuals may be spreading misinformation to derail these ongoing reforms.”
The controversy has sparked fresh debates about the treatment of educators in Nigeria. Across the country, teachers in public schools often face poor working conditions, delayed salaries, lack of resources, and in some cases, pressure to perform duties outside their job descriptions.
In Edo State, this latest development has raised serious concerns about labour rights, educational priorities, and the need for clear policies on school maintenance and staff roles.
As the investigation progresses, civil society groups and teachers across the state are watching closely. For now, one message is clear: teachers want to teach not cut grass.
