Buhari’s promise of teachers’ new retirement age, salaries not with National Assembly

Grace Edema, Deborah Tolu-Kolawole, Solomon Odeniyi, Abiodun Nejo, Olufemi Olaniyi, Daud Olatunji and Gbenga Odogun

Published 6 October 2021

Nigerian teachers on Tuesday joined their counterparts all over the world to commemorate this year’s World Teachers Day just as the Federal Government promises more welfare for teachers.

At a programme organised to commemorate the day in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said the harmonised bill for the new retirement age of teachers which was promised by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), last year “has yet to be presented to the National Assembly for approval.”

Recall that the President announced a new salary scale for teachers, as well as increased the retirement age from 60 to 65 years.

But Adamu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, at the Tuesday event said, “The draft bill for harmonised retirement age for teachers/education officers in Nigeria 2020 was presented and approved by the Federal Executive Council on January 20, 2021 and is awaiting presentation to the National Assembly.

“I assure you all that frantic efforts are being made to implement the resolutions to complement the delivery of effective and equitable sound education that will foster development and contribute to the evolution of a strong, democratic, egalitarian, prosperous, indivisible and indissoluble sovereign nation.”

On new promises, Echono said the President had rolled out plans to increase teachers’ quality through payment of stipends and offering automatic employment after graduation for graduates of education courses.

He said “The ministry will collaborate with the state governments to ensure automatic employment, undergraduates of B.Ed/B.A.Ed/ BSC.Ed in public institutions are to receive stipends of N75,000 only per semester, while NCE students will receive N50,000 as stipends per semester.”

Echono added that the government, through partnership, would build low-cost houses for teachers in rural areas, engage teachers in trainings and also reintroduce bursary award for NCE students.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (retd.), has assured teachers and students that the federal and state governments are working to ensure they are protected.

The minister spoke at the ministry’s Teachers Day celebration and award presentation to teachers in Armed Forces Schools.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Istifanus Musa, the minister said, “Nigeria have keyed into the safe school programme.

“That means we are taking the necessary steps to make sure every student is protected. As parents and teachers we may have certain feelings but many state governments are already keying into the programme and taking steps by moving students from unsafe areas to safe ones.”

Fayemi restates commitment to teachers’ welfare

Also in Ekiti, Governor Kayode Fayemi reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of teachers.

Fayemi said, “As a responsible government, we shall continue to improve teachers’ welfare and ensure improved conditions of service. We are committed to fulfilling our pledge of clearing outstanding arrears of salaries from the last administration”.

The governor, who spoke during the celebration of World Teachers Day, presented a car to Mr Olasoji Bamidele of Isan Secondary School, Isan Ekiti, who emerged the best teacher in the public secondary schools and Mr Jimoh Akanbi of AUD Nursery and Primary School, Otun Ekiti, who emerged the best teacher in public primary schools category.

Cash prizes were also given to first and second runners up in both categories as well as other categories in the technical education and private schools.

Oyo lauds teachers

The Oyo State Government has applauded the steadfastness and dedication of teachers in the state.

The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Nureni Adeniran, who said this in a statement on Tuesday to celebrate the World Teachers Day, also asked the teachers to show more commitment to their job.

He reiterated the commitment of the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration to the welfare of teachers, especially in the areas of training and re-training, prompt payment of salaries and conducive environment for teaching and learning in public schools.

Kogi ASUSS decry teachers’ shortage

The academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS has expressed serious concern over shortages of teachers in Kogi Stateschools.

The Chairman of the union, Ojo Ranti in a speech said it “is painful that the issue of teachers’ recruitment has remained outstanding for many years despite year-in-year-out calls.

“Distinguished guests and respected colleagues, we will be failing ourselves as a union, failing beloved students in particular and the society in general, if we shy away from presenting the challenge of abysmal shortage of teachers in our schools as it is.”

Abiodun gift Ogun best teachers cash, houses

The Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has fulfilled house and cash donations to the best teachers in the state.

Abiodun fulfil the promise promise he made during the 2020 World Teachers Day, the governor on Tuesday , exactly one year after.

The governor gave a semi-detached bungalow to the best overall teacher for year 2020 in the state.

He also rewarded this year best teachers in the state with cash prizes ranging from N1m to N2m .

He also gave a two-bedroom detached bungalow to Mr Kehinde Oladapo , a teacher in Sapara Junior Secondary School, Ijebu Igbo.

Oladapo also received a donation of N2.5m for being the overall best teacher in the state.

Abiodun announced this while addressing members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers and the Academic Staff Union Secondary Schools in Abeokuta.

He noted that since assumption of office, the government had ordered the release of promotion letters to deserving primary and secondary school teachers due for promotion.

Lagos hails teachers

Also in Lagos, the Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo at the 2021 World Teachers Day Celebration in Ikeja, said, “We are indeed proud of you in Lagos State, and we will continue to hold you in high esteem because we have seen your impacts on the quality of teaching as reflected in the performances of our students across the state.

“Our administration shall continue to reward excellence and productivity of exceptional teachers with cars and other prizes and we will continue to provide better working environment.”