Bauchi State government has reminded school heads and education managers of their duty to uphold integrity and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities and to protect school property from vandalism.
The government warned that any official found culpable in the destruction or theft of school property would face the full weight of the law.
A statement issued yesterday by Jalaludeen Usman, the information and public relations officer of the Ministry of Education, emphasised that vandalism and theft remain recurring issues in public schools, often exacerbated by weak community involvement.
The ministry therefore appealed to residents across the state to take full ownership of schools in their domains.
“A school does not belong to the government alone, it belongs to the community it serves. Everyone has a role to play in protecting these institutions,” the statement noted.
“Residents should remain vigilant, support school administrators, and report any suspicious activity or individuals attempting to damage or steal school property,” the statement added.
The statement stressed that schools are better protected, well-maintained, and more respected when communities are involved.
It also highlighted the administration’s ongoing investments in the education sector under Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, including constructing and renovating classrooms, providing learning materials, furniture, and continuous teacher training.
“Education remains a top priority of this administration. Protecting these investments requires community partnership. Let us work together to secure our schools and safeguard the future of our children,” the ministry urged.
LEADERSHIP recalled that last Thursday, the Bauchi State Teachers’ Service Commission removed the principal of Government Day Secondary School, Kirfi, Malam Musa Ahmed Ningi, and senior master in the school, Malam Adamu Shehu, for conspiring with the principal to sell some government properties belonging to the school illegally.
The commission revealed that the duo sold 32 scrapped student beds, nine jumbo aluminium cooking pots, and an unspecified quantity of roofing sheets. Both officials have been ordered to refund the sum of N597,000, the estimated value of the vandalized items.
