The welfare of teachers in Nigeria is top priority of the Federal Government as the government has reiterated its stance on improving their wellbeing.
Professor Tahir Mamman, the Minister of Education, said this, noting that it was time teachers begin to reap their benefits directly alongside the services they render against the notion that their rewards come later.
Speaking through the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Yusuf Tanko Sununu,during a conference organised by the College of Education Academic Staff Union, COEASU ,as part of activities to celebrate the 2024 International Teachers Day, Mamman said his ministry’s current policy was to actualize government’s vision for the teaching profession.
This came as the Executive Secretary, National Commission for Colleges of Education,NCCE, Prof. Paulinus Chijioke Okwelle, emphasised the need to continue to elevate the status of teaching profession, ensuring that it attracts the brightest and most passionate individuals.
The event which also witnessed presentation of awards to the best students in colleges of education in Nigeria, had the theme: “Valuing Teachers’ Voices Towards Repositioning Teacher Education in Nigeria. “
The ceremony also honored notable recipients, including the Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board,JAMB, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, the former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Alhaji Abdulmalik Mahmood, among others.
Dr Sununu said in addition to the COEASU awards, government will also provide scholarships to the students.
He directed that information of benefiting students be submitted to the Federal Scholarship Board and urged people to view teaching as a profession, not just an activity.
He commended the Academic Staff Union of Universities,ASUU and COEASU for cooperating with the government to reposition the nation’s tertiary education.
Guest Speaker at the occasion and former Executive Secretary,Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria,TRCN, Prof. Josiah Olusegun Ajiboye, urged the government to offer attractive remuneration packages to teachers and provide regular training, workshops, and conferences.
He emphasised the need to engage teachers, unions, and communities in decision-making processes, while advocating for investment in modern classrooms, technology, and educational resources.
He recommended increased funding for education infrastructure and the development of a comprehensive teacher training program, while also advocating for the launch of a nationwide teaching recruitment campaign.
Speaking after he was presented Legacy Award at the occasion, Arc. Echono said the development has recommitted him to allocating taxpayer resources more effectively for educational growth.
“We feel particularly honored that they have chosen this occasion to also recognize us with the Legacy Award and Induction into the Hall of Fame.
“I was informed in the letter that this award reflects the culmination of our service—our humble contributions during my tenure as Permanent Secretary for four and a half years and the last two and a half years as Executive Secretary of TETFund.
“On behalf of the Board of Trustees, the management, and staff, we express our appreciation and renew our commitment to ensuring that taxpayer money is prudently and judiciously deployed for the development of education in our country. Our goal is to help our students acquire the skills to become competitive global citizens who can contribute to national development, “he said.
Earlier, the President of COEASU, Dr. Smart Olugbeko, announced that the Union has awarded N3.5 million to the six best students, each representing one of the six geopolitical zones in the country.
“Our Union has instituted a scholarship for the best student in the College of Education system in Nigeria. Through a transparent, objective, and externally coordinated examination process, we identified the best students from each zone, as well as an overall top student.”
He called on government agencies, private organizations, awardees, and individuals to contribute to these prizes for the students.
