President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari has reiterated his government’s commitement to the welfare of teachers in the country.
He disclosed this on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 in Abuja while delivering his keynote address at the World Teachers Day commemoration tagged “Teachers at the heart of education recovery”.
TheFact Nigeria noted that teachers in the country were poorly paid hence they cut corners to make ends meet.
Buhari hinted that the Federal Ministry of Education had commenced the pilot implementation of the increase in retirement age to 65 or 40 years of service for teachers and education officers.
He also disclosed that guidelines to ensure the seamless implementation of the increase had been negotiated and outstanding salaries of affected teachers would be paid before December 2021.
Speaking on some of the effort made by the government to encourage teachers and education students alike, the President said:
“The re-introduction of Bursary awards to Education students in the Universities and Colleges of Education with the assurance of automatic employment upon graduation would encourage more students to
take up courses in Education.
“There will be more advocacy and consensus building with relevant stakeholders including state governments and others to realize all the targets that will re-position the 21st century
teacher in Nigeria.
“However, I want you all to know that teachers’ welfare is paramount in the scheme of things and negotiations are ongoing to ensure that your salary is prioritized”, said Buhari.
National President, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Dr. Nasir Idris decried the negative impact of covid-19 and insecurity on the education sector, he said:
“Insecurity in Nigeria has taken a dangerous trend from the North to the East and West. This trend has adversely impacted on teaching and learning in our various communities across the country.
“We therefore call on the federal, state as well as private individuals to join hands and restore peace, order and peaceful coexistence to ensure the safety of our schools and the school communities for the good of our country”, said the NUT President.
Dr. Nasir lamented that the COVID-19 crisis had expanded the role of teachers and placed greater burden on them as they were challenged to embrace the use of technology in education which was alien to them. He therefore called on the government to adequately equip and support teachers to discharge their duties effectively in the ‘new normal’.
