Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has set up a Committee for the payment of N30,000 minimum wage to Primary School teachers in the state.
Chief Theophilus Odo, State Chairman of NUT, Enugu State wing, disclosed this on Thursday during the 2023 World Teachers Day celebration in Enugu.
Odo said that he was a member of the committee and thanked the governor for the gesture
Speaking on the theme: “The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage,” Odo reminded the present Nigerian leaders of the need for new morale vision.
“Reordering of the societal value system, such as to recognise good virtues such as stewardship, steadfastness, commitment to service, sincerity etc, which an ideal teacher epitomises.
“It is this kind of moral vision against the false value of acquisitive, oppressive, and exploitative society that will awaken Nigeria teachers to their duties and responsibilities to the nation as was the case in the past,” he said.
He drew the attention of the governor to the need for recruitment of new qualified teachers in the state and to facilitate the release of outstanding promotion of teachers.
Among other demands, the NUT chairman demanded the payment of outstanding leave allowances to teachers in both primary and post primary Schools.
“Donation of 18 seater bus to the union for ease of movement as the ones donated by successive governments no longer travel beyond Enugu metropolis due to old age,” he said.
Odo urged parents, learners, and the society at large to accord teachers their due respects, adding that “honour should be given to whom honour is due.”
He condemned, in totality, situations where teachers were beaten up in the presence of their students and guardians, saying it was most unfortunate.
“Teachers themselves should see commitment to service and hard-work as watchwords and should be guided at all times by the ethics of the profession,” he said.
Odo said that it was only when all the stakeholders were professional enough that shortage of teachers could be reversed.
Speaking, the state Commissioner of Education, Prof. Ndubueze Mbah, who represented the governor at the occasion, described teachers as role models and mentors.
He said that the state under the administration of Peter Mbah would continue to support the teaching profession in the state.
In her keynote address, Prof. Obiamaka Egbo, said the theme of the celebration resonates deeply with the Nigerian context, where shortage of teachers remained a significant challenge in the pursuit of quality education for all.
She said that in Nigeria, education was regarded as a fundamental right and a powerful tool for personnel and national development.
“However, the quality of education we provide to our children and youth is at a crossroads, largely due to the critical shortage of well-trained and motivated teachers.
“To reverse this shortage, we must first understand the global imperative behind this issue and then apply it to our unique Nigerian situation,” she said.
