Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has told teachers to be prepared for surprise visits.
He said anyone who resumes late or is absent, would be sacked.
The governor warned civil servants against engaging in private businesses during office hours, saying such workers would also be dismissed.
Fayose, who spoke yesterday at a meeting with stakeholders in the education sector ahead of an education summit holding next week, said there must be attitudinal change by parents, teachers, pupils and other stakeholders.
The governor at another forum with civil servants said he had pardoned those apprehended on Monday, adding that the government would no longer discipline them.
He urged indigenes and residents to pay taxes, to assist his administration to make life easy, stressing that “there is no more free launch anywhere.”
Addressing stakeholders on the summit, Fayose said the education sector was in a shambles, hence the need to invite stakeholders to rescue it.
Emphasising his love for teachers, the governor said he would not condone indiscipline and other acts that could jeopardise the future of the pupils.
He said: “Although I love teachers, I will pay unscheduled visits to schools and if I take the roll call and you are not there, you are gone. You people don’t like the truth, but it must be told.
“We have a great country, great people, but bad attitude. There must be attitudinal change. In many government offices, some workers sell pepper and palm oil. Anybody caught selling in offices will be in trouble.
“Many governments can no longer pay WAEC fees. We have to face the fact. If returning the (mission) schools to the owners will help some solve many of these problems, I’m ready to do it.
“I advise our people to plan their family because educating these children is not easy. The standard of education is very poor. Some of these girls in our universities can’t speak correct English.”
Fayose said private school owners must be ready to pay new taxes.
He vowed to compel them to declare the number of pupils in their schools by swearing to an affidavit.
The governor said: “You have to declare your pupils and you will swear to an oath. If I visit your school, which has 500 pupils and you declare 200 pupils, you are in trouble.”
Addressing civil servants, he said he would hold a dialogue with them on the way forward.
Fayose urged the workers to meet their labour union leaders and agree on a decision whether Ekiti should take the bailout or not.
He said the bailout would commit the state to a debt burden for 20 years.
“Anything that will bring you relief, I’m ready to do it and I will take your permission before I give them the Irrevocable Standard Payment Order (ISPO) in Abuja.
“I want you to know that N8 billion in 20 years will be N22 billion. I am saying this because after I might have left office, it will not look as if I deliberately plunge the state into debt.
“I need to remind you that it is from the same allocation that I will accommodate N600 million bond, deduction of the commercial loans plus the wage.
“When allocation comes and they deduct everything from it, you will not say I didn’t tell you.”