Ibiono Ibom Council Stops Pupils from Doing Manual Labour in Schools

The Ibiono Ibom Local Government Council in Akwa Ibom State has warned heads of its 64 public primary schools against using pupils for manual labour. This includes tasks like cutting grass and working on private farms as schools get ready for the new academic term.

The Chairman of the council, Asuakak Umoh, gave this warning during a meeting with headteachers of the 64 public primary schools on 23 July. This meeting happened before the end of the term. He reiterated that his administration is focused on protecting pupils' learning time and improving how children receive education.

According to the council's press unit, they will send letters to the headteachers next week about the chairman's directive.

Mr Umoh said the council has taken steps to stop this practice by buying 64 brush cutters and hiring 64 workers. Each worker will take care of the grounds of a public primary school.

He explained that this setup is meant to stop pupils from cutting grass or doing other chores that could disrupt their education.

"The era of making our young ones abandon what took them to school to work all day for any school head or teacher is over," the chairman stated.

He told school heads, teachers, and others in charge to stop sending pupils to cut grass during or after school hours. He also banned school authorities from asking pupils to work on private farms or do personal tasks for teachers or school heads.

Warning to School Officials

Mr Umoh warned that any school head or official caught breaking this rule would face disciplinary action. He extended this warning to the grass-cutting workers, stressing they have been hired and equipped for specific jobs.

He said that workers who do not perform their duties will also face consequences. He added that the council has provided both the tools and personnel to keep school compounds clean without putting any burden on pupils.

"The era of making our young ones abandon what took them to school to work all day for any school head or teacher is over," Mr Umoh said again.

The chairman said this initiative is part of his administration's larger goal to support the education aspect of Governor Umo Eno's ARISE Agenda at the grassroots level.

He said the aim is to make sure children in Ibiono Ibom have the right conditions to learn, grow, and compete well with their peers in other areas.

According to him, this policy is more than just keeping school grounds tidy.

"It is about giving our children the opportunity to remain focused on why they are in school in the first place," he said.

Mr Umoh mentioned that his administration aims to raise a generation of well-educated and responsible young people. These individuals will eventually take on important roles and contribute positively to the development of Ibiono Ibom.

He described a good learning environment as a necessary foundation for reaching that goal.