Ahead of the 2020 World Teachers’ Day marked every October 5th, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has made demands on the Federal Government, even as plans are being made by the government to reward the best teachers in each of the 774 local government councils.
National President of NUT, Nasir Idris represented by the National Publicity Secretary of the union, Idris Amba at an event organized to prepare for the occasion, called on the government to review the retirement age of teachers and education officers.
Mr Idris also appealed for the establishment of the Teachers’ Salary Structure (TSS) and other incentives that will address the peculiarities of the teaching career and uphold the true identity and status of the profession.
The union asked for the implementation of the 27.5 per cent professional allowance for teachers of unity schools and requested that the government empower teachers to meet the new trends, challenges and demands of the 21st century by providing regular training and continuing professional development opportunities so that inclusive, equitable and quality education can be made available.
The NUT boss further solicited for the establishment of a National Secondary Education Commission for proper coordination and effective management of secondary education in the country.
Addressing the issue of school reopening, the NUT engaged the state governments and non-state providers of education to comply strictly with the COVID-19 protocols developed for the safe reopening of schools by the federal government.
The federal government through the Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba has revealed that it would present awards and gifts to deserving teachers who have been committed to their jobs and the teaching profession across the local government councils in the country.
The Minister who explained that the presentation will be made during the 2020 World Teachers’ Day event added that the instrument for the nomination of potential awardees and recipients has been sent to all state ministries of education and the Federal Capital Territory. and submissions have been made by some states.
