From Francis Nansak, Lafia
The Parents Teachers Association (PTA), Nasarawa State chapter, has engaged the services of over 800 teachers to boost teaching and learning in schools across the state.
The association, which has deployed the teachers to boarding schools in the state, said it also have on its payroll 200 university graduates, 200 security men and nurses.
Mallam Ahmed Mohammed, the PTA chairman in the state disclosed this to select journalists on Friday in his office in Lafia, the Nasarawa state capital.
He said the move by the association which became necessary to add value to learning and teaching in the state has also seen to the construction of 30 clinics in schools spread across the state.
Mohammed said the only way discipline, morals and thorough learning will return to schools is by ensuring that teaching profession is given top priority.
“Teachers must be treated as care-givers, bridge-builders and their salaries must also be improved upon.
“It is unthinkable that government today treat educationists as second class citizens, whereas every other professionals and experts get to the top with the contribution of the teacher.
“I therefore will suggest that government guarantee loans for teachers to enable them some convenient, as mobility, housing and other live essentials,” he said.
The PTA chairman lamented the spate of unethical practices and cultism that have taken over most schools starting from the primary level.
According to him, parents should ensure that they play a role in the training of their wards, saying a lot of the character manifested by students in school sometime is due to lack of close monitoring by parents when their children return from school.
Mohammed appealed to the Nasarawa State government, especially the present administration that has prioritized education, to improve teachers’ remuneration.
