By Nahum Sule, Jalingo

The Taraba State Universal Basic Education Board (TSUBEB) has explained the ₦5,000 deduction from the salaries and arrears of primary school teachers, following complaints and claims on social media that the money was illegally deducted.

The controversy arose after teachers reportedly noticed the ₦5,000 deduction from their payments, prompting questions over what the money was meant for and whether the deduction had been authorised.

But in a statement issued by its Public Relations Department, TSUBEB said the deduction was not an illegal charge, but a payment for the production of permanent identity cards for teachers across the state.

The Board said the initiative was introduced as part of efforts to establish a reliable identification system for teachers and was subsequently discussed with and supported by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Taraba State Wing, after consultations between both parties.

According to TSUBEB, the permanent ID cards are intended to provide every teacher with an official means of identification, strengthen personnel records, improve security and enhance administrative efficiency within the basic education sector.

The Board added that the exercise would also assist the administration of Governor Agbu Kefas in developing an accurate and verifiable database of teachers in Taraba.

It said the cards would contain modern security features to facilitate proper identification, accountability and personnel management.

TSUBEB further rejected suggestions that the deduction was connected to any loan or other financial obligation, stressing that the ₦5,000 was specifically for the identity card project.

The Board urged teachers and members of the public to verify information through official channels before sharing claims on social media, while reaffirming its commitment to transparency, accountability and the welfare of teachers.

The clarification comes amid wider concerns in Taraba over deductions from workers’ earnings. Earlier this year, the state government also explained a separate ₦3,000 deduction from civil servants’ January salaries as payment for the production of Annual Performance Evaluation Report (APER) forms