WAR OF WORDS: IMPLICATIONS OF THE POWER STRUGGLE BETWEEN SEMB AND MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
Written by Ella Michaels
A bitter power struggle between the Executive Secretary of Imo Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB), Augustina Azubuike, and the Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, Prof. B.T. Ikeagwuoha, has brought the Imo Education Sector to its knees. The two top officials have been locked in a heated battle, with each accusing the other of administrative sabotage, control of power, and supremacy.
The war of words between the two has spilled over into social media, with both sides trading accusations and counter-accusations. The Commissioner has accused the SEMB Boss of frustrating his efforts to sanitize the sector, while the SEMB Boss has insisted that due process must be followed. The power struggle has divided the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, with staff members taking sides and insubordination becoming rampant.
The biometric verification exercise, aimed at right-sizing the labor force in the education sector and fishing out those with false certificates, has become a major point of contention. The Commissioner has set up a 7-man verification committee to ascertain the true staff of SEMB that will remain in office to enjoy the service elongation gazetted by government. However, the SEMB Boss has challenged the composition of the committee, alleging that the right people were not used.
The verification exercise is expected to expose fraudulent activities in the education sector, and those found guilty may be prosecuted. However, indications are that some staff members may boycott the exercise, and there are concerns that the power struggle may derail the entire process.
Experts have called on the Governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma, to declare a state of emergency in the Education Sector and remove the top officials causing trouble in the system. The question remains whether the Governor will intervene to restore order and ensure that the education sector gets back on track.
The power struggle between SEMB and the Ministry of Education has far-reaching implications for the future of education in Imo State. It highlights the need for effective leadership and management to ensure that the sector is run efficiently and effectively. The people of Imo State deserve better than to have their education sector torn apart by petty squabbles and power struggles.
As the situation continues to unfold, one thing is certain: the education sector in Imo State needs a drastic overhaul. The Governor must take decisive action to address the power struggle and ensure that the sector is run in the best interests of the students and the state. Anything less would be a dereliction of duty and a betrayal of the public trust.
