More than 200 casual staff who served as fingerprint terminal operators under the Bauchi State Ministry of Education have protested their disengagement after seven years, describing the decision as abrupt and unjust.
In a statement issued in Bauchi on Monday, the group appealed to the state government for urgent intervention and reinstatement, warning that the move has left hundreds of households in economic distress.
Signed by Comr Musa Alfa, chairman, and Comr Abubakar Salisu Burai, secretary of the Association of Terminal Operators, Ministry of Education, Bauchi, said in the statement that affected workers served the state with sacrifice, commitment, sincerity, and fear of God despite their casual status.
“With deep pain, heavy hearts, and a strong sense of injustice, we bring to your attention the unfortunate disengagement of over 200 casual staff under the Bauchi State Ministry of Education,” the statement read.
The operators said they managed biometric systems that tracked teacher attendance and punctuality in schools across the state for more than seven years, a role they argued was central to enforcing discipline and accountability in the education sector.
“Our work was not ordinary. We ensured teachers reported to duty, attended on time, and delivered lessons,” the group stated.
“Through our efforts, discipline and accountability were strengthened, making teaching and learning more effective,” the statement further disclosed.
The association expressed shock at the manner of the disengagement, saying members received no prior notice or opportunity to defend their positions.
“It is heartbreaking that after years of sacrifice, we were suddenly disengaged without legal warning or fair hearing, and without consideration of our contributions to the educational system,” they said.
According to the statement, the fallout has been severe. Many operators were sole providers for their families and now face hardship and uncertainty, with no alternative source of income.
“Some of us have no other source of income, and this situation has left us in fear of how to feed our families and sustain our daily lives,” the statement added.
The group urged the state government to review the decision, noting that a fresh recruitment exercise is reportedly underway.
“We sincerely beg that we should not be forgotten. We respectfully request priority and inclusion in the ongoing recruitment as recognition of our years of commitment,” the operators said.
They stressed that members are already trained and hold qualifications, including a national diploma, a Nigerian certificate in education, and university degrees.
“We are already trained, experienced, and have proven our value,” the statement noted.
The association listed four demands: immediate review of the disengagement, reinstatement and absorption into government service, inclusion and priority in the ongoing recruitment, and a fair, transparent process that acknowledges their years of service.
“All we ask for is fairness, compassion, and an opportunity to continue contributing to the development of our state,” the group stated, describing themselves as law-abiding citizens who believe in peace.
The statement concluded by expressing hope in “the state government’s leadership and compassionate intervention”.
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