By Peter Ahemba
NASARAWA state government has approved the sum of N97 million for the two months outstanding allowances owed its 2,142 recently employed teachers.
State Commissioner for Education, Ahmed Tijjani, who disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Lafia yesterday, explained that the money was for payment of January and February allowances pending the formalisation of process of their appointments into the state service.
He noted that the teachers, who were initially engaged and placed on monthly allowances of N25, 000 each, for graduates and N20, 000 for NCE holders were later converted into permanent and pensionable appointment by the state governor hence they will be given proper placement in accordance with their certificates.
“The governor has directed the Teachers Service Commission (TSC), through the ministry of education to workout modalities to formalise their appointments before May 29,” the Commissioner added.
Tijjani said that the two months salaries which would be paid on or before Friday is based on the initial allowances of N25, 000 and N20, 000 respectively pending the conclusion of the process of conversion of their appointment.
The Commissioner also revealed that the state government has provided registers, dossiers, scheme of work and other instructional materials in bulk to all public schools that will last for years with a view of ensuring quality education.
He said that the government has step up supervision in public schools in order to strengthen the system for better service delivery.
According to him the initiative was aimed at ensuring the creation of an enabling environment in order to monitor teachers to be effective in producing quality students who could compete favourably with their peers anywhere in the world.
The commissioner called on school Principals to ensure that teachers in their respective schools write lesson notes and teach at the appropriate time, warning that the ministry will not hesitate to sanction anyone caught wanting.