As the world prepares to celebrate World Teachers’ Day on October 5, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the All Nigeria Conference of Principals of Public Schools (ANCOPPS) are issuing a clarion call to the government: invest in education, provide adequate infrastructure, and value teacher voices.
Dr. Mike Ike-Ene, NUT National President, emphasized, “Teachers deserve global recognition for their unwavering dedication, particularly in challenging environments.” He urged the government to prioritize educators’ welfare, ensuring timely payment of salaries, provision of essential learning materials, and improved working conditions.
“Teachers are the backbone of our education system, yet they face numerous challenges,” Ike-Ene noted. “Local governments must utilize their autonomous allocations to pay primary school teachers promptly. The minimum wage should be universally applied, eliminating the ₦30,000 wage disparity in primary schools.”
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Ike-Ene also highlighted the unfulfilled promises made by former President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2020 World Teachers’ Day celebrations, including a special salary scale, increased years of service, and a housing scheme for teachers.
Musa Ibrahim, ANCOPPS National President, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Despite economic, political, and security challenges, we persevere. We celebrate our resilience, recognizing that education is key to Nigeria’s progress.”
The theme of this year’s World Teachers’ Day, “Valuing teacher voices: Towards a new social contract for education,” underscores the crucial role educators play in shaping the future. As Nigeria strives for development, it is imperative that the government prioritizes education and supports its teachers.
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