The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), has noted with dismay the acute shortage of teachers in Abia schools, resulting to unhealthy teacher-learner ratio.
The union in their just concluded World Teachers’ Day celebration, held at the Teachers’ House, Umuahia, called on the Abia State government to ensure adequate recruitment of teachers for effective teaching and learning in schools.
In his address, the Abia State Chairman of NUT, Comrade Kizito Agwu Kalu, decried how executors of the Primary/Junior Secondary School, involve themselves in using teachers/union welfare packages for their selfish gain, also stating that the account section of some LGEA/Education Secretaries have formed the habit of carrying out lawful deductions, but fail to remit them to the union accordingly, adding that this singular act had been a clog in the execution of decisions reached at the State Executive Council meeting (SWEC).
Comr Kalu, however, decried the non inclusion of TSS into their salaries,as well as the non implementation of promotion, arrears of salaries, Unpaid leave allowances, among others.
Comr Kalu Kizito
The Union Chairman, however, expressed gratitude to the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, as he implements the retirement age of teachers and education officers from 60 to 65 years of age and 35 to 40 years of service as approved by the Federal government.
The Abia NUT chairman further disclosed that the Union has made frantic efforts to get the cars promised teachers by the state government in 2020, hoping that the governor would make a positive announcement to that regard.
Comr Kalu stated that the theme for this year’s celebration “Teachers At The Heart Of Education Recovery”,was apt, considering experiences observed before and during the period of Covid-19.
He stated that the World Teachers’ day would among other things support teachers’ need to fully contribute to the recovery process owing to the global context and following the spirit of international benchmarks on the status of teaching personnel, the effect that the pandemic has had on education and on teachers, as well as, the steps that need to be taken to ensure that teaching personnel develop their full potentials to play the role expected of them in the recovering from the pandemic and achieving the 2030 global education goal (SDG4).
In an interview, the State Chairman of Public Service Joint Negotiating Council,Comr Chris Okoro, enjoined teachers to keep faith with the government, as the Nigerian Labour Congress(NLC) is making efforts to achieve a balanced system.
Comr Chris Okoro
Meanwhile, the Governor of the State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff, office of the Deputy Governor, Sir Don Ubani,assured the teachers that the government is doing its best to ensure that salaries of teachers are up to date, while promising that government would continue to make the welfare of teachers its priority.
