By Ayodele Oni
Worried by the stagnation of teachers for years, the Cross River State House of Assembly has summoned the Commissioner for Education, the Accountant General, the Auditor General, and Heads of several agencies in the education sector to appear before it.
The summon follows the persistent non-implementation of teachers’ promotions across the state, sparking concerns over welfare and productivity in public schools.
During Thursday’s plenary session, lawmakers expressed frustration at the delays, which they say have led to low morale among educators and hindered the quality of teaching and learning.
Members highlighted the need for transparency and accountability, arguing that timely promotions are essential to motivate teachers – described as the “cornerstone of societal progress.”
The Assembly commended Governor Bassey Otu’s administration for efforts to address irregularities inherited from previous governments.
However, lawmakers blamed ongoing issues on alleged fraudulent activities by corrupt officials within the system and called for the identification and sanctioning of those responsible.
The Speaker, Elvert Ayambem reaffirmed the 10th Assembly’s commitment to prioritizing teachers’ welfare and education sector matters, emphasizing that the summons aims to resolve the backlog promptly.
This development comes amid broader complaints in Cross River about delays in civil service promotions, with historical arrears reportedly requiring billions to clear.
Similar issues, including alleged extortion for promotion processing, have surfaced in recent years, though officials have denied authorizing such payments.
The invited officials are expected to provide explanations and timelines for implementation.
Teachers and unions have long decried the stagnation, warning it contributes to brain drain in the state’s education system.
No date for the appearance has been specified yet, but the Assembly’s move signals heightened oversight on education funding and administration in the South-South state.
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