Teachers’ Promotion in Abia: Otti Orders ASUBEB to Restore 60% Pass Mark

Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has issued a firm directive instructing the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) and the Abia State Civil Service Commission to reinstate the 60 percent benchmark initially announced for teachers’ promotion examinations.

The governor made it clear that education authorities in the state do not have the authority to alter promotion criteria after officially publishing them, stressing that the originally advertised 60 percent pass mark must stand.

The intervention followed a public appeal by an Abia resident, Chukwu Emeka Kalu, who raised concerns that ASUBEB had allegedly increased the promotion pass score from 60 percent to 75 percent after the examinations were conducted. According to the complaint, the sudden change negatively affected many teachers who had already met the earlier requirement, leaving them discouraged and uncertain about their career progression.

Governor Otti addressed the matter during his monthly media briefing on Tuesday, where he confirmed that the issue had been resolved. He disclosed that he had instructed both ASUBEB and the Civil Service Commission to reverse the decision and comply strictly with the initially announced pass mark.

The governor revealed that the directive was issued a few days before Christmas, reassuring affected teachers that the necessary corrections to their promotion status would be finalized shortly. He added that once the promotions are adjusted, salary corrections will follow accordingly, ensuring that no eligible teacher is disadvantaged.

Governor Otti also expressed concern over the practice of fixing a pass mark ahead of conducting examinations, describing it as inappropriate and unfair.

“I have resolved the issue by engaging the Civil Service Commission and ASUBEB. You do not determine a pass mark before an examination is conducted. Since sixty percent was earlier advertised, I approved that they should revert to it, and that decision was taken before Christmas,” he stated.

Beyond education matters, Governor Otti highlighted recent infrastructural achievements by his administration. He announced that electricity supply has been restored to 33 communities in Ukwa West Local Government Area, ending a blackout that lasted nearly nine years. He further disclosed that efforts are actively ongoing to reconnect power supply to Ohafia and Bende communities, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to improving living conditions across the state.