Six Sokoto principals suspended for exam fee scandal, insubordination

The Sokoto State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has suspended six secondary school principals over allegations of insubordination and the unauthorised collection of fees related to Junior Secondary School examination results.

The suspension, which took immediate effect from Monday, was approved by the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Ahmad Ladan Ala.

The affected principals are from the following schools: Nana Girls’ Secondary School, Sokoto, Government Day Secondary School (GDSS) Gagi, GDSS Mana, Giginya Memorial College, Mana Basic Secondary School, Sokoto and GDSS Silame

All were suspended primarily on grounds of insubordination and violations of ministry directives.

To address the alleged infractions, Professor Ala has inaugurated a five-member investigative committee, chaired by Professor Mustapha Namakka Tukur. Other members include the Executive Secretary of the Agency for Integrated Education and Budgeting (AIEB), the Director of Quality Assurance, the Director of Planning (Teachers’ Service Board), and another representative from the Quality Assurance Directorate who will serve as secretary.

The ministry has directed the suspended principals to hand over all administrative duties to their respective Vice Principals (Administration) without delay.

In a statement issued on Friday by the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Mohammad Iya, on behalf of the Commissioner, the government reiterated its commitment to discipline, transparency, and accountability across all public schools in the state.

“No principal or school administrator will be allowed to act outside the law or exploit students and parents,”

Professor Ala stated, adding that schools must be governed by the principles of accountability rather than personal interest.

He stressed that the government would not hesitate to sanction any official found guilty of misconduct.