Leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on Thursday, cautioned the National Assembly not to include teachers emoluments in the clamour for full autonomy of local government administration, insisting that such amendment in the constitution would return basic education back to the Dark Ages.
NUT Deputy President, Nelson Onem, stated this in Abuja at a press conference addressed by the Supervisory Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, to herald the World Teachers Day slated for October 5.
While emphasizing that the union was not opposed to local government autonomy, Nelson said since primary education forms the bedrock of the nation’s education system, it would not be wise to leave its administration to local councils, most of which would not be able to carter for the welfare of teachers, particularly their salaries.
He said if local government autonomy should stand, issues of teachers’ emoluments should be made first line charge in the federal or state’s budget, rather than the local council authorities.
“We want to draw the plight of teachers in this country to the attention of the Federal Government; first, our desire is that salaries of primary school teachers should be removed from local council authorities.
“This is because, we don’t want a situation where we would return to the Dark Ages when teachers’ salaries were owed for months, then it was a season of strikes in the basic education sector.
“You will recall that there was a time when primary school teachers’ salaries were not paid for years.
“We are not opposed to local government autonomy, but our teachers’ salaries should be placed among the first line charge of government, either at the federal or states level,” he stated.
But sooner had Nelson finished his remarks, Wike criticized the union for wrongfully channelling its grievances to the Federal Government, saying people heaped unnecessary blames on the Federal Government even in matters not directly under its purview.
He urged the union’s leadership to take their grievances to the National Assembly, noting that government remained committed to delivering educational gains to its populace.
Meanwhile, the theme for this year’s celebration is “A call for Teachers”.
NUT said it is opting for a low key celebration come October 5, as there would be no march pass by participants and that the event would take place at NICOM Luxury Hotel, Abuja, instead of the popular Eagle Square, its usual venue.
