Delta Principals’ Transfers Trigger Dispute Between Education Ministry, Board

The disputed postings have generated tension among principals, some of whom accused the PPEB and its Permanent Secretary of failing to properly exercise the board’s statutory responsibilities, while others alleged that the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibuogwu, had encroached on functions assigned to the board.

Findings by LEADERSHIP indicate that the established five-year benchmark allows principals who have completed the required period in a school to be considered for transfer, while seniority is also expected to guide the selection of officers for new postings.

A source within the board said the Commissioner’s responsibility was to supervise the PPEB and ensure compliance with established procedures, rather than directly handling the transfer and posting of principals.

The allegations have reportedly heightened tension among principals, raised questions about the authority of the board and, in some cases, left schools without substantive heads.

The source alleged that some postings resulted in junior officers being deployed to replace senior colleagues, raising concerns over alleged procedural violations, abuse of authority and disregard for seniority within the education system.

One of the disputed cases involves Mrs Agaren Florence, a Level 16 officer appointed in 2019, who was allegedly posted to Ogbe Secondary School to replace Mrs Onojeharho Rose, also Level 16, who was appointed in 2016.

Onojeharho was said to have sought the intervention of the Chairman of the Delta State Civil Service Commission, following which she was allegedly issued a letter signed by Aghedo Edith, directing her to take over from Mrs Emily, a Level 16 officer appointed in 2014, as principal of Steel Secondary School.

The source questioned the proposed transfer of Emily, who had reportedly spent more than five years heading a rural school, to Oviri-Okpe Secondary School, which was said to have fewer than 200 students.

Other cases cited included Helen, a Level 16 officer appointed in 2019, who was allegedly posted to replace Asakitikpi, also Level 16 and appointed in 2014, at Kokori Mixed Secondary School.

Similarly, Arawore, a Level 16 officer appointed in 2019, was allegedly posted to replace Jessa, a Level 16 officer appointed in 2015, at Ohorhe Secondary School.

Another case involved Mrs Oyaide, now a Level 17 officer who became Level 16 in 2015. She was reportedly transferred from Ughevwughe Secondary School to Arhavwarien Secondary School across the river in Ughelli South, while a junior officer was allegedly posted to take over her former station.

The controversy has reportedly resulted in some affected principals either refusing to hand over at their former schools or declining to resume at their new stations, leaving some schools without substantive principals.

One of the affected principals, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the Commissioner had gone beyond his supervisory responsibilities and assumed administrative functions of the PPEB.

“The board is a legally established institution with its own enabling edict and should be allowed to carry out its statutory duties, while the Commissioner ensures that it operates within the law,” the principal said.

The principal called for an investigation into the disputed postings and urged the state government to clarify the respective responsibilities of the Commissioner and the PPEB.

The principal also urged the board’s chairman and members to assert the authority of the PPEB and address any administrative gaps that may have contributed to the controversy.

Another principal, who also requested anonymity, appealed to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to order an impartial investigation into the disputed postings and ensure that affected officers were treated in accordance with established policy, seniority and due process.

The principal further called for measures to protect officers who may lack political or administrative connections from alleged victimisation.

LEADERSHIP’s efforts to contact the Commissioner for Secondary Education, Dr Kingsley Ashibuogwu, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

A message sent to the Chairman of the PPEB, Prof Emmanuel Tibi, was also not answered.

However, a member of the board, Mr Vantus Oyiborhoro, who was contacted by telephone, said he was driving and could not speak at the time.