A 5,000 naira deduction from the salary arrears of Taraba State primary school teachers has sparked debate regarding its origin and authorization. Many educators expressed frustration after noticing the reduced payments, leading to accusations online that the Taraba State Universal Basic Education Board (TSUBEB) acted without legal grounds.
TSUBEB has formally denied these claims, clarifying that the funds were collected to cover the costs of issuing permanent identification cards to all primary school staff. According to the board, these new cards are intended to modernize documentation, improve record-keeping, and support Governor Agbu Kefas in maintaining a precise database of the state’s teaching workforce. The board emphasized that this project was discussed and agreed upon with the Taraba State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).
Nathan Solomon, the NUT state chairman, confirmed the union’s support for the policy. He explained that a formal agreement was reached in 2024 to deduct the amount from salary arrears specifically for the production of these high-security identification documents. Solomon noted that the cards will assist with personnel management and future promotion processes. He also asked the public to refrain from spreading unverified information on social media. This situation follows a similar incident earlier this year, when 3,000 naira was deducted from civil servant salaries for the creation of performance evaluation forms.
