Edo Rights Group Condemns State For “Educational Slavery,” Accuses Government of Forcing Teachers Into Menial Labor

A major controversy has erupted in Edo State’s education sector as a prominent human rights organization has publicly condemned the state Ministry of Education for what it describes as “educational slavery”—allegedly compelling public school teachers to perform degrading manual labor instead of focusing on teaching.

The Edo State Civil Society Coalition on Human Rights issued a strongly-worded statement on Monday, September 1, 2025, threatening mass protests and legal action unless the state government immediately ceases requiring educators to cut grasses and perform janitorial duties outside their professional responsibilities.

The statement, signed by Coordinator General Marxist Kola Edokpayi and Secretary General Comrade Aghatise Raphael, characterizes the practice as “a disgraceful and demeaning act” that violates both human rights and Nigeria’s constitution.

“Teachers Are Nation-Builders, Not Gardeners”

The coalition’s declaration presents a stark picture of educational professionals being reduced to manual laborers: “Teachers are the backbone of society and nation-builders entrusted with shaping the minds of our children. Reducing them to gardeners and cleaners is a shameful act of abuse and a slap in the face of every hardworking educator in Edo State.”

The group specifically cites Section 34(1)(c) of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits forced or compulsory labor, arguing that compelling teachers to work under duress outside their professional mandate constitutes a constitutional violation.

The statement also invokes Governor Monday Okpebholo’s own promises to prioritize teachers, asking how forcing educators to clear bushes aligns with his commitment to “place teachers on top priority.”

In response, State Commissioner for Education Dr. Paddy Iyamu offered a contrasting narrative, suggesting that information available to the ministry indicated the menial tasks were undertaken voluntarily as part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives by some teachers.

In an official statement titled ‘To Stakeholders in the Education Ecosystem,’ Iyamu announced that a full-scale investigation has been ordered into the allegations. He assured that the government would “get to the root of the matter and correct any abnormality in whatever form.”

The commissioner emphasized that “teachers’ priority is transfer of learning,” and stated the ministry wants to “discourage in very strong terms teachers forcibly engaging in tasks that do not directly correlate with strengthening knowledge gap and learning outcomes.”

Iyamu also hinted that the allegations might be an attempt to smear the ministry’s reputation due to ongoing reforms aimed at ending “unwholesome benefits to a few.”

The rights coalition has demanded that the government employ dedicated support staff—gardeners, cleaners, and janitors—for school maintenance rather than shifting this burden onto teachers. They also called for transparency in how school maintenance funds are allocated and utilized.

This developing situation puts Edo State’s educational reforms under scrutiny, testing the balance between fiscal responsibility and respect for professional dignity in Nigeria’s public education system.

With both sides presenting conflicting accounts and the threat of protests looming, the resolution of this controversy will likely have significant implications for teacher welfare and educational policy across Nigeria.