By Felix Khanoba
The Federal Government has appealed to states on the need to implement the new national teachers’ policy aimed at boosting the nation’s teaching profession.
The AUTHORITY reports that President Muhammadu Buhari had in 2021 announced the teacher’s policy, which includes new salary structure, elongated service year, among other incentives.
Addressing newsmen on Monday in Abuja ahead of the commemoration of the 2022 World Teachers Day (WTD) in Abuja, Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, said the Federal Government has already hit the ground running on implementation of the improved welfare package for teachers and urged states to do same.
Adamu, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr David Adejo, said the implementation of the policy which has commenced at the national level, would go a long way to bring about better output from the Nigerian education system.
“I must state here that the national implementation of the New National Teaching Policy has commenced.
“It is a holistic package that will ultimately address the career path, remuneration, professional teaching standards, qualification, deployment and management of teachers,” he said.
The minister said there was need to evaluate the indispensible role of teachers in nation building and the importance of repositioning the profession for the attainment and sustainability of quality education.
Adamu said the theme of the 2022 WTD which is “The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers,” strongly stresses the importance of empowering teachers for the effective transformation of education to ensure quality teaching and learning as well as galvanise technological advancements to meet the ever changing needs for national growth and development.
While saying the ministry has also organised a symposium to herald this year’s WTD, the minister said the grand finale of the celebration would be on Wednesday, 5th October, 2022 which will see to President Muhammadu Buhari gracing the occasion and awards presented to teachers who have distinguished themselves from across the country.
Also speaking , the President, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Audu Amba commended President Buhari for sustaining the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award (PTSEA).
He said it had helped to give hope to teachers and promoted the dignity of the teaching profession.
Amba, represented by Mr Stephen Khabayi, the Chairman of Federal Capital Territory chapter of NUT, said the celebration sought to draw public attention to the support teachers needed to fully contribute to educational transformation.
“Indeed, the right number of qualified teachers are needed, and be provided with access to continuing professional development, improved status and working conditions and be empowered, motivated and supported.
“The NUT remains grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for signing into law the “Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Bill”.
“This provides for retirement of teachers on attainment of 65 years or 40 years of pensionable service, and look forward to the implementation of the new retirement age and other approvals announced by the Federal Government at the 2020 edition of the World Teachers Day celebration,” he said.
He assured them that teachers in the country would continue to strive with dedication and commitment to contribute their quota to the building of the nation.
