Job applicants accuse Kaduna teachers’ board of extortion

The Kaduna State government has directed all candidates applying for teaching jobs in the state not to pay money into any bank account as directed by the state Teachers Service Board or any other agent.

Applicants for jobs advertised by the state government were directed by the teachers’ board to pay N1000 in a designated account with Skye Bank.

But the state said the directive was illegal and advised candidates not to comply.

The instruction came after hundreds of candidates had already paid. Still, candidates complained that they could not access applications even after payment.

One applicant, Aisha Hussaini, told PREMIUM TIMES that board’s demand was “a fraud”.

“I paid N1000 in a bank account labelled Kaduna Teachers Board at Skye Bank, Ahmadu Bello way. When I came to the board I was requested to pay another N100 for file. I did all that before I submitted the application,” she said.

“I am one among hundreds who were victims of this scam or should I say fraud.”

The board could not immediately reached.

The state government in a statement by the secretary to the state government, Balarabe Abubakar, asked applicants not to pay money to any bank account as such directive was not from the government.

In the statement the government explained that:

“Further to its advertisements inviting applications from members of the public willing to work as Teachers or Traffic and Environmental Enforcement Officers, the Kaduna State Government reiterates the following:

“As clearly stated in the adverts, applications by those seeking Teaching jobs should be addressed to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education.

Applicants for Traffic and Environmental Enforcement Officer positions should submit their applications to their Local Government Council Chairman.

“Applicants are not required to pay any fees or submit any forms, other than their application letters and relevant documents.

“Any requests for money or acts amounting to obstructing or hindering citizens from smooth submission of their applications is illegal. Applicants should report such acts to info@kdsg.gov.ng or to 08184444644 and 08184444744.

“Candidates whose applications meet the required standards will be shortlisted and contacted for the next stage of the recruitment process.

“In view of the need to make the application process more user-friendly, the deadline for submission of KASTELEA applications is extended to 31st August 2015. Applicants for teaching positions now have up to 8th September 2015 to submit their applications.

Those who paid before the government’s clarification are not demand refunds.

“I cannot understand that the board was doing that for more than three weeks and the government is not aware. It is amazing. All I want is a refund and refund we must get because we are going to lodge our cry to the provided numbers and website,” Mrs. Hussaini said.