By Amauche Agbo, Abakaliki
As the world celebrated teachers day, the members of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Ebonyi State chapter has called on Federal and Ebonyi State Government to prioritize on the improvement of welfare of teachers to encourage them in the discharge of their professional duties.
The chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Ebonyi State Comrade Egwu Francis Elechi made the assertion during the commemoration of World Teachers day in Abakaliki, the State capital.
The NUT boss who the noted the theme of this year’s celebration was “the transformation of Education begins with teachers” observed that the theme was aptly chosen, timely and most appropriate, considering the neglect and ridicules the teachers is unduly subjected to and also the valueless state of the Nation’s education.
Egwu also noted that educational transformation is unattainable except by first of all transforming the teachers being the character molder, stressing the need for teachers to be transformed financially, technologically and otherwise so as to be able to deliver in line with the global best practices of the noble profession.
However, Egwu while congratulating the State Governor Engr. David Umahi for the regular payment of teachers irrespective of lean resources, payment of 165 SEB teachers who were almost expunge from the State Government payroll among others, solicited the inclusion of teachers in the recently approved conversion of workers in the State public service, issuance of appointment letters to those who scaled through the recruitment exercise conducted in December 2021 by the State Government as public schools are negatively exposed to inadequate number of teachers due to retirement without corresponding replacement.
He further enjoined teachers in the State to redouble their efforts in service delivery, expressing their avowed commitment and determination to make Ebonyi State one of the best in the comity of states educationally.
The NUT boss while reacting on the laxity among public teachers, stressed that such insignificant number of teachers who displayed nonchalant attitude to their duty should not be generalized as 99% percent of teachers in the State are doing their job accordingly and therefore called on Ebonyi State Government to promote teachers who were due for promotion and pay promotion arrears that were hold teachers to boost their morale and commitment to duty.
In their remarks, the National representative of NUT, Abuja Mr. David Elom, the chairman of NUT in Abakaliki LGA Mr. Nwija Andrew, Mrs Patience Ibina among others called for immediate intervention of government at all levels to address issues hampering the progress of teaching and learning in public schools, stressing the need for government to provide a conducive environment, good welfare packages for teacher for optimal performances.
Responding, the State Commissions for education Dr. Sunday Nwangele while congratulating teachers in the State for their untiring efforts in promoting educational sector, noted the importance of teachers in the society can not be overemphasized and commended their partnership with his office and Ebonyi State government, assuring to put in his best to ensure there was an improvement in the teachers welfare and promotion to advance teaching and learning for Ebonyi children while enjoining the teachers to be more dedicated to their duties to advance to students intellectuality.
Nwangele, who described affiliation of schools during internal and external examinations especially in private schools as illegal, further announced the ban of affiliation of schools in its totality in the State.
