MINSEC’s Headcount Census: Teachers in the NW/SW decry insecurity while officials play safe

Form 3 students of G.H.S Ebonji, April 02,2026. Studies intensify while teachers in other conflict hit areas are caught up between risk and survival

Teachers in the restive North-West and South-West regions are accusing education authorities of expressing fear themselves in conducting census in rural areas in an ongoing nationwide census exercise, questioning its credibility aware of insecurity.

According to a testimony shared with Ndode’s Blog- News, Ministry of Secondary Education (MINESEC) officials assigned to conduct the physical headcount have refused to go into rural areas due to insecurity — yet teachers are still expected to live and work there.

Instead, officials are reportedly stationed at regional delegations, asking teachers to travel from conflict-affected zones to be counted — a move many see as both dangerous and contradictory.

Stanley, a teacher at Government High School Benabe, Menchum Division, North West Region, in an interview asks why teachers are forced to teach in these areas if the personnel can’t go there for the physical head count?”

“Is the Minister aware that these personnel are stopping at the level of the Region and expecting teachers to leave the suburbs?” the source questioned, adding: “Why expose teachers to danger… when it is easier and safer for these personnel to go to the teachers?”. Beyond the safety concerns, teachers are also questioning the effectiveness of the exercise itself.

A source that requested anonymity argue that a “physical” census that does not reach schools in remote areas risks missing key realities on the ground, undermining its stated goal of identifying absentee staff.

The timing has also drawn criticism, as the exercise coincides with mock examinations. “Should teachers abandon students and move to the region for the census?” the teacher added.

The Ministry of Secondary Education says the census is meant to verify active personnel and address cases of teachers who have sought greener pastures abroad. F or many on the ground, the census process is raising more questions than providing solutions.