Abia State Government Introduces Biometric Attendance To Tackle Teacher Absenteeism.
The Abia State Government has announced stringent measures to address absenteeism among public school teachers, including the introduction of a biometric attendance system. The initiative, aimed at improving accountability and enhancing the quality of education, was revealed by Lydia Onuoha, the Executive Chairman of the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB), during a press conference in Umuahia.
Onuoha expressed concern over the rising trend of irregular attendance and negligence among some teachers, despite significant improvements in their welfare under Governor Alex Otti’s administration. She emphasised that such misconduct would no longer be tolerated, with disciplinary actions including queries, suspensions, and dismissals to be enforced in line with the Public Service Rules and Teachers’ Code of Conduct.
To ensure compliance, the government will implement biometric attendance systems across public primary and junior secondary schools to monitor teachers’ daily presence and punctuality. Additionally, ASUBEB will strengthen its Quality Assurance and Monitoring Teams, who will conduct unannounced visits and audits. Headteachers will also be required to submit monthly attendance reports to their respective Local Government Education Authorities and ASUBEB for review.
Onuoha underscored the administration’s commitment to transforming public education in Abia State, urging teachers and stakeholders to support the vision of a “New Abia” where education is free, compulsory, and impactful. “We are building a system that supports excellence, not excuses,” she stated, highlighting the government’s determination to ensure every teacher is held accountable.
The move has been widely discussed on social media, with many commending the government’s proactive approach to improving educational standards. The biometric system is expected to eliminate “ghost teachers” and ensure that only dedicated educators remain in classrooms, fostering a more effective learning environment for students across the state.
