The Katsina State Government has stopped the salaries of more than 100 public school teachers who were found to have abandoned their duties, some for up to three months, according to the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, **Zainab Musawa**.
The disciplinary action was disclosed during the pre-inauguration of the state’s **Joint Education Sector Coordination Committee**, a multi-stakeholder body tasked with diagnosing and addressing systemic challenges in the education sector.
> “Some of the affected teachers absconded for one to three months but still expected to receive salaries for work not done,” Musawa stated. “One school principal even wrote recently to inform us of his return to work — after schools had already been closed for over a month.”
Musawa emphasized that no absconding teacher would receive salaries for the duration of their absence. Cases will be reviewed in September, with decisions to be made on possible reinstatement or further disciplinary action.
#### **Alarming Trends in School Attendance**
The commissioner painted a troubling picture of widespread teacher absenteeism and non-performance in public schools across the state.
> “In one school with over 75 teachers, only 10 were present during an unscheduled visit. In another school with over 1,000 teachers, fewer than 80 were found on duty — and many classrooms were completely empty,” she revealed.
Musawa warned that poor teaching commitment is undermining efforts to improve education standards, particularly in primary and secondary schools. She called on educators to rise to their responsibilities and play a more active role in reversing the decline.
#### **Education Sector Overhaul Underway**
As part of broader reforms, the Katsina government is establishing a **Joint Education Sector Coordination Committee** to routinely assess gaps, develop strategies, and propose actionable solutions.
The committee will include local and international partners such as **UNICEF** and **Save the Children International**, as well as education experts and civil society stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, **Michael Banda**, Education Manager at UNICEF, pledged a one-year financial commitment to support the committee’s operations and urged for robust representation across relevant sectors.
> “This is a critical opportunity for Katsina to reset its education framework,” Banda said. “But the committee must include diverse, committed voices if it is to drive lasting change.”
The Katsina government says it is working "tirelessly" to rebuild the education system and restore confidence in public schooling, particularly in underserved areas.
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