The Ogun state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, on Wednesday, demanded a full implementation of 27.5 % of the Teachers Peculiar Allowance ,TPA, to teachers in both Primary and Secondary schools across the state as promised by the state government in 2014.
They also called on the state government to make the appointment of Principals General and Headteachers General functional by posting them as Permanent Secretaries to TESCOM and as Board Secretary to SUBEB.
The union made the demand at the 2016 celebration of World Teacher’s Day held at NUT Secretariat in Abeokuta, the state capital.
While speaking on the theme, “Valuing Teachers, Improving their Status”, the State Chairman of the union, Comrade Dare Ilekoya stated that, “it was high time Nigerian teachers were given better welfare packages by governments at all levels in the discharge of their duties.
According to him, “governments and the general public should also accord the teachers values which would enhance their performances and improve their status.
He said, “Teachers as a variable agent of change need to be empowered both financially and intellectually. It is time to re- appraise the roles of teachers and accord them necessary recognition without struggle “.
” A situation where teachers is happy with his or her place of work, job satisfaction will elicit dedication to his duties and ignite resourcefulness in him or her for effective teaching delivery. In principle, good remuneration and better welfare package for teachers at all levels – primary and post primary schools inclusive is highly desirable.”
“In light of this, the Union hereby call on the government as well as the general public to accord teachers their deserved values which would go a long way to improve their status, and by extension enhance their performances”, he added.
The State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, however said that his administration would continue to strive hard on the improvement of teachers welfare in the state despite the economic crunch facing the country.
The governor, represented by the state Commissioner for Education, Mrs Modupe Mujota, opined that the role of teachers as an agent of change in the society could not be overemphasized .
His words, “We are therefore aware of the role of the teachers in the successful implementation of the programme and in nation building in general.
“This is why we have continue to make concerted effort to ensure enduring improvement on teachers welfare in spite of the prevailing economic challenges.”
Amosun hinted that his government would ensure a continual training and re training of teachers in the state, just as he noted that additional structures had been provided to students in the classroom to avoid congestion .
According to him, “We will continue to work on human capital development by training and re -training our teachers towards effective output, “
