A primary school teacher in Taraba State has raised alarm over the non-payment of salaries for six months, questioning the state government’s commitment to the free education policy.
The teacher, who preferred anonymity for fear of victimisation, expressed frustration in a viral message on Sunday, describing the hardship endured by teachers across the state.
“Our children go to bed with empty stomachs; we wear rags just to educate the children of the poor,” he wrote. “We compute registers, results, and plan lessons, all in the name of giving standard education. At the end, our hard-earned salaries are denied, not just for a month, but for six months in a state that sings free education.”
The teacher further lamented that despite the state’s proclamation of free education, the foundation — primary education — remains neglected.
“Taraba State primary school teachers are not asking too much; pay them at least one month’s salary so they can feed their families,” he appealed.
Several other teachers in the state have echoed similar concerns, calling on the government to intervene urgently and prioritise their welfare.
Attempts to reach the Taraba State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) for comment were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The issue of unpaid salaries has sparked criticism from education stakeholders and civil society organisations, who argue that quality education cannot be achieved when teachers are subjected to severe hardship.
They urged the state government to address the matter immediately, stressing that no meaningful development can occur when the education sector is in crisis.
