Gov. Alex Otti of Abia, on Monday, issued a seven-day ultimatum for the clearance of the outstanding entitlements owed to teachers, including salaries, check-off dues and promotions.
Otti gave the directive in Umuahia during this year’s World Teachers’ Day celebration.
The theme of the event was, “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing in Status and Shaping our Future”.
He directed the Accountant-General of the state to ensure the payment of all the outstanding check-off dues within seven days.
The governor also ordered the payment of teachers affected by verification issues, as well as salaries owed to the 4,075 newly recruited teachers, by the end of October.
On promotions, Otti directed the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board to conclude the 2021 and 2022 promotion processes.
He ordered the board to forward the completed processes to him for approval by the end of October.
He also directed the commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education to reinstate disengaged teachers, who were below 65 years, following the extension of the retirement age.
“Once we say something, we do it. If you require any further approval, I have given the approval from here.
“Bring all of them (teachers) back, even if it is six months before retirement,” the governor said.
He also said that his administration would continue its policy of free and compulsory education.
He said that under his watch, education would always receive the highest budgetary allocation in the state.
He said the decision was deliberate because education remains critical to preparing the younger generation for the future.
He disclosed that the State Government was also investing in smart schools across the 17 Local Government Areas to expose children to emerging technologies.
“The whole idea is not to supplant traditional education but to make available the future of education to our children,” he said.
The governor congratulated Abia students, who performed well in academic competitions in Qatar recently and those who topped the National Examinations Council examinations.
He said the achievements were only the beginning, adding that more results would emerge as the state continued investing in education.
Otti appreciated teachers for their contribution to building future generations, describing teaching as a profession he loved.
“I see myself as a teacher by the time I finish the assignment you gave me to do. It is a profession I love so much,” he said.
He recalled that his first job after university was a graduate assistant, where he continued teaching.
He thanked teachers for accepting to teach, make an impact and contribute to building the future of the state.
The Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Goodluck Ubochi, said the government remained committed to strengthening education through teacher recruitment and professional development.
Ubochi said the State Government was also improving infrastructure and modern learning environments across the state.
He said interventions reflected deliberate efforts to create an education system that benefits both teachers and learners.
He also said that technology was being integrated into teaching and learning through smart schools to strengthen teachers’ capacity rather than replace them.
Earlier, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Abia Council, Mr Friday Madu, urged the State Government to sustain its policies on teacher recruitment, welfare and professional development.
Madu also urged government to sustain its free and compulsory education policy.
He said that the union recognised the administration’s efforts in prioritising education through increased funding, teacher recruitment, improved welfare and infrastructure investment.
According to him, increased enrollment under the free education programme continued to place additional demands on teachers and schools.
Madu called for the continued implementation of the policy extending teachers’ retirement age from 60 to 65 years, saying that the union had engaged government to protect affected teachers.
“The union urge continued investment in teacher capacity building and professional development to enable teachers to respond to changes in education.
“We also encourage government to sustain investment in smart schools and digital learning, while equipping teachers to use technology in teaching and learning,” he said.
The NUT boss promised the union’s commitment to working with the State Government and other education stakeholders, while defending teachers’ welfare and dignity.
He commended the recruitment of 5,394 teachers and ongoing recruitment of 4,000 additional teachers to address manpower shortages.
He said the free and compulsory basic education policy had increased access to public schools and contributed to rising enrollment.
Madu highlighted other interventions, including teacher training, improved salary payments, clearance of inherited salary arrears and school renovation.
He urged teachers to remain dedicated, embrace continuous learning, use technology responsibly and serve as role models in their communities. (NAN)
