Comrade Audu Titus Amba, National President of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, has stated that with the country’s local government councils being granted full autonomy, his members want primary school teachers’ salaries to be deducted at the first line charge to ensure regular payment.
He stated that, given the global commitment to ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all, “We as a nation cannot afford to continue to tie primary education, the fate of teachers, and the future of learners to local government councils, who often display a lack of financial capacity and the will to manage the education sector.”
Speaking at the 2024 World Teachers Day celebration in Abuja with the theme “Valuing teachers’ voices: towards a new social contract for education,” Amba said: “It is on this premise that we wish to reiterate our call on government to review the unprogressive policy giving the responsibility for payment of teachers’ salaries to LGC, and transfer the responsibility to state government in line with the 2002 judgment of the supreme court of Nigeria in the case, A.G. Federation v. A.G Abia State and 35 others which stated that ‘In so far as primary education is concerned, a local government council only participates.”
The NUT president also urged the federal and state governments to invest adequately in education to address all of the sector’s challenges, stating that budgetary allocations to the sector had historically fallen far short of the internationally recommended benchmarks of at least 6% of GDP and/or 20% of the national budget.
He also criticised the federal government’s inability to fulfil its promises to teachers over the last four years, adding, “It is worrisome to observe that four years after, most of the approvals have remained unimplemented. We hereby call on both federal and state governments to ensure full implementation of the approved incentives to boost the morale of teachers in the discharge of their professional duties.”
Speaking, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assured the teachers that this administration will continue to leave no stone unturned in ensuring that teachers’ welfare in particular and quality education that is a key to women empowerment, prevention of diseases, reduction of poverty and promoting peace, unity and prosperity is achieved in Nigeria.
Represented by the Secretary to Government of Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, Tinubu said: “Nigeria has joined the world with various legislations and policies to reposition teaching in a professional status.
“As a teacher, you must acquire teacher education in order to possess specialised knowledge, skills and attitude needed to perform the task of teaching in the school system. The acquisition of the specialised competencies, qualifies a trained person to be a professional teacher.”
The Minister of State for Education, Dr Tanko Sununu said teachers experienced joy and pain while on duty post and “passionately” resulted in resilience in turbulent times.
“Teachers are the frontlines, guiding our children, nurturing their talents, and preparing them to face the challenges of tomorrow.
“We are working diligently to improve teacher training, professional development, and working conditions across the country. In addition, we are expanding access to new technologies and resources to ensure that Nigerian teachers can deliver world-class education, even in the most remote areas,” he said.