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  • A’Ibom teachers call off strike

    A’Ibom teachers call off strike

    By Odo Ogenyi, Uyo

    The four days industrial action embarked upon by public primary and secondary school teachers in Akwa Ibom has been called off.

    This is sequel to resolutions reached by State Government with the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, at the end of a closed-door meeting held yesterday and presided over by Governor Udom Emmanuel in Uyo.

    Commissioner for Labour and Manpower Development, Mr. Aniefiok Nkom, who disclosed this to newsmen yesterday affirmed that government and the labour leaders have reached a compromise on the issues that gave rise to the industrial action and described the resolution as a win-win outcome.

    “It was a very peaceful meeting. The Governor saw what needed to be done and the NLC also saw what was delaying the process. So it was a win-win situation and the matters enumerated by NUT Chairman have been resolved.” Nkom said.

    On her part, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet, expressed gratitude to Governor Emmanuel for taking prompt actions to ensure that schools in the state resume.

    Confirming the resolution, the State Chairman of NUT, Comrade Edet Emenyi, lauded the Governor’s disposition towards the teachers, assuring that teachers would return to classrooms for commencement of academic activities.

    “Issues bothering on teachers welfare and non payment of allowances have been resolved today. On that note, the teeming teachers in Akwa Ibom State are ready to call off the strike.”Emenyi said.

    The State Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Comrade Sunny James, who was also present at the meeting, expressed the solidarity of Akwa Ibom workers with the teachers, saying that the teachers’ demand for unpaid entitlements including leave grant, refund of 7.5% deductions for contributory pension and other issues were extensively deliberated upon and resolved accordingly.

    He therefore expressed appreciation to the governor for his prompt response to the teachers’ demands, maintaining that the resolution would pave way for the NUT to join other sectors of the state workforce in the celebration of the 2023 Workers Day.

  • National Personnel Audit: UBEC Urges Oyo Govt. To Recruit More Teachers

    National Personnel Audit: UBEC Urges Oyo Govt. To Recruit More Teachers

    …As SUBEB Boss Says Recruitment Plans Ongoing

    The Universal Basic Education Commission has commended the qualitative education pupils in Oyo State are enjoying under the Governor Seyi-Makinde led administration. The Commission has also called on the state government to recruit more teachers into primary schools.

    The Executive Secretary, Universal Basic Education Commission, Dr. Hamid Bobboyi gave the charge today in Ibadan, as part of the 2022 National Personnel Audit team’s recommendation to the State Government.

    Bobboyi said the need to recruit more teachers became manifest during the just concluded Personnel Audit Exercise in the state by the Commission in collaboration with OYOSUBEB.

    He however commended the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board for cooperating with its Audit team in the conduct of the National Personnel Audit Exercise.

    Speaking through the head of the team, Engr. Muhammed Bello, the ES said, “we urge the Oyo State Government to look into recruitment of teachers into the public primary schools in the State”.

    He pledged the commitment of the commission to look into other areas to move basic education forward in Oyo State.

    He added that the National Personnel Audit Exercise was a major activity in data gathering used in planning and development of education.

    Bobboyi said that the commission discovered a lot of progress made, compared to the previous exercise.

    According to him, “Though entry is still ongoing, we would give the Board updates on the list and give the State government accurate data in order to plan and develop basic education.”

    He solicited the cooperation of other stakeholders in education in ensuring accurate data so as to know where every Nigerian child of school age was at any given time.

    Responding, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran admitted the shortage of teachers in the State, saying the State Government is making efforts to look into fresh recruitment and replacement of seconded teachers in the state.

    “We are aware of the shortage of teachers in our primary schools. The State Government under the leadership of our dear Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde is making efforts to ensure the problem is resolved in time”, Adeniran added.

    He added that the State Government will continue to collaborate with the Federal Government and other relevant agencies to ensure the public education sector in the State thrives.

    Adeniran also hinted that school owners and proprietors operating illegally in the State would be made to face the law.

    He warned such schools to regularise their registration by visiting the ministry of Education, Ibadan.

    Adeniran reiterated the Oyo State government’s commitment at revamping education in the state.

    Dr. Adeniran commended the National Personnel Audit team’s report on data of schools in the State, adding that the update will help the State in planning its education in the forthcoming fiscal budget.

  • Kaduna Govt. To Recruit 10,000 Teachers After Sacking Over 2,000

    Kaduna Govt. To Recruit 10,000 Teachers After Sacking Over 2,000

    The Kaduna State government says it has concluded plans to recruit 10,000 primary school teachers to replace those disengaged to improve the teacher-pupil ratio.

    The deputy governor, Dr Hadiza Balarabe, made this known in Kaduna, yesterday, at the inauguration of the distribution of learning materials to pupils in 4,260 public primary schools and 838 learning centres.

    The state government had on June 19, announced the sack of 2,357 primary school teachers for failing the government’s competency tests.

    The state government had in 2018 sacked 21,780, for failing a similar test while 233 others were sacked in December 2021 for allegedly presenting fake certificates.

    The deputy governor said the government shall continue to weed unqualified teachers in public schools and no amount of distraction would stop it.

    “The quality of instruction is very important in determining the educational outcomes of our children and we cannot allow only the children of a few to steal the advantage that education provides.

    “Nor shall we continue to allow poor quality education to be available to the children of the weak and vulnerable in our society, who attend public schools.

    “Children of the poor also deserve competent teachers, and it is our sworn responsibility to ensure that they get it,” he said.

    Balarabe said the state government had renovated more than 500 public primary and secondary schools and provided perimeter fencing in many schools as required by the UN agencies for the security of children.

    She said when poor children are exposed to books early, they would learn to read better, adding that the more children have access to books the more likely they would learn better.

    The learning materials would be distributed under the BESDA programme.

  • Sokoto SUBEB Prioritize Well-being Of Teachers In The State

    Sokoto SUBEB Prioritize Well-being Of Teachers In The State

    By Muhammad Ibrahim,Sokoto

    Efforts are being made by the State Universal Basic Education Board to improve the welfare of primary school teachers in the state.

    Subeb boss Altine Shehu Kajiji stated this today at the opening of a ten days Review Meeting on Teacher Recruitment and Deployment Guidelines being held in the conference hall of Sokoto Guess inn.

    The Public Relations Officer Abbas Tukur Sanyinna confirmed that,Alhaji Altine Shehu said this is imperative inview of the fact that improving teachers welfare assists greatly in motivating them to perform their duties effectively.

    According to him,as such the board is looking into the implementation of teachers promotions because many of them have stayed for years without such.

    Kajiji however explained that while doing this only committed and dedicated teachers would be considered.

    He said the board will henceforth consider hardwork and commitment to duty as a yardstick to promoting its teachers instead of reliance on three year benchmark for moving to the next level.

    On the review meeting, Alhaji Altine Shehu described it as timely in view of the fact that the importance of teacher to education can not be over stated.

    He commended UNICEF for supporting the documenting of Guidelines and assured of the Sokoto subeb’s determination to champion it’s full implementation.

  • Oyo TESCOM Honors Students, Teachers for Excellent Performance

    Oyo TESCOM Honors Students, Teachers for Excellent Performance

    The Oyo State Teaching Service Commission, (TESCOM) today, honored two students and five Teachers for distinguishing themselves in various competitions.

    The Chairman, TESCOM, Pastor Akinade Alamu in his address at second phase of Teachers’ Solidarity rally for Governor Seyi Makinde, held in Ibadan noted that the award was initiated to motivate the students and their teachers, who had performed brilliantly and also encourage others to follow suit.

    He added that Oyo State Government is poised to recognize and celebrate excellence, success, diligence, hard work, dedication and selflessness.

    The awardees include, Mrs. Egunjobi Elizabeth Mofolashade, a Principal at St. Anne’s School, Molete Ibadan, who received an award for her selfless dedication during the long COVID-19 vacation.

    Also awarded were Mrs. Olatunji Olufinmilayo Ayoade, Mr. Olanrewaju Olaiwola Olateju and Miss Adepoju Aminat Adedayo, from St. Anne’s.

    According to Alamu, they were recognized for their exceptional methods of coaching their students to earn global awards.

    The Chairman noted that their dedication earned two students from St. Anne’s School first and second positions in the recent Commonwealth Essay competition globally.

    The students, Mariam Lawal and Deborah Olatunji were also given awards of recognition by the State Government.

    The state Government also recognized a Ph.D student who teaches at Bishop Phillips Academy, Ogundiji Olasunkanmi, for winning the National Maltina competition.

    The Chairman stated, “These students and their teachers exhibited outstanding zeal in attaining excellence at various competitions. It took them commitment, responsibility, focus, determination, creativity, innovation, purpose-driven attitude and the fighting spirit to win laurels at local and international competitions”.

    He noted that the celebration differs from the other solidarity rallies, because the State Government dimmed it fit to return same gesture to teachers who willingly gave themselves to support the Governor Makinde’s re-election bid.

    He promised that the State Government will give more awards to different recipients and other stakeholders that have been collaborating with the State to advance the education sector.

    His words: “We are proud of Oyo state students who are winning laurels in global and National competitions. We have two of our student from St. Anne’s that won the Commonwealth Essay Test. It is a global competition and I must say this is a great feat for us in Oyo TESCOM. On behalf of Governor Makinde, I am honored to present them these awards. This is a token of our appreciation, to let them know that we appreciate what they are doing and we want them to do more”.

    Speaking also, the Permanent Secretary, TESCOM, Mrs. Bisi Oderinde acknowledged the teachers for their commitment and determination at making the students excel in the global competition, saying that they were the reason the students are being celebrated.

    She urged students and teachers in the State not to rest on their oars, adding that more awards await them in future.

    “Do not rest on your oars, this is just the beginning, there are more honors awaiting you in the future, globally”, the PS stated.

    In her welcome speech, the Head of Zone 3, Alhaja Ololade Azeez commended the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration in the State, for its unrelenting support towards the workforce.

    The event was attended by representatives of all affiliate bodies of Nigeria Union of Teachers, including Association of Primary School Headteachers of Nigeria, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, Non-Academic Staff Union, among others.

  • Chrisland Scandal: Lagos Govt Grills School Management, Teachers, Parents

    Chrisland Scandal: Lagos Govt Grills School Management, Teachers, Parents

    All parties involved in the alleged Chrisland school scandal are presently undergoing scrutiny at the Lagos State Ministry of Education, Education Quality Assurance Conference Hall, Alausa in Ikeja.

    A reliable source revealed that those present at the meeting are police officers, officials of the Education Quality Assurance and that of the Directorate of Public Prosecution, Chrisland school authorities including the affected teachers, parents of the affected students.

    The source further said that no student was sighted as against the earlier scheduled invitation by the police for all parties involved to report to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti, for detailed investigations.

    Wednesday’s meeting is the latest development since reports that some students of Chrisland schools were involved in a case of alleged sexual violence in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

    While the Lagos State Government had shut all Chrisland schools in the state following the incident, it has also vowed to ensure justice is done.

    It equally warned “that any person who engages in any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a child commits an offence and is liable to custodial sentence of fourteen (14) years. This includes ‘producing, distributing, receiving, or possessing an image of child pornography’.

    The incident has sparked heated debates on social media. While many accused Chrisland of trying to cover up the matter, others claimed the student was raped.

    But in a statement released shortly after, Chrisland denied claims of sexual abuse.

    “We are proud to reassure our stakeholders that no rape of anyone or the administration of a pregnancy test on any child took place on our watch,” a statement signed by a member of the Chrisland advisory board, Akin Fadeyi, read.

    “For emphasis, only a COVID post-travel test was conducted on the returning delegation of our students, in compliance with COVID-19 travel protocols, at the Life Centre Medical Services on March 21, 2022, at School Hall, Opebi.”

  • BNSG Pledges to Implement Full Promotion of Teachers as they Protest Non Payment of their Salaries

    BNSG Pledges to Implement Full Promotion of Teachers as they Protest Non Payment of their Salaries

    By Isaac Kertyo, Makurdi

    Benue State Government has expressed its willingness to Implement full promotion of primary school teachers in the state.

    Governor Samuel Ortom gave this assurance on Tuesday when he was addressing some teachers who registered their protest at the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, to press home for payment of their salaries.

    The Governor who spoke through his Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr Kenneth Achabo, explained that the situation was due to the shortfall from the Federation Account, assuring that his office was collaborating with SUBEB towards finding solution to the matter.

    According to the Governor, government is to ensure that all genuine teachers would be paid their entitlements as soon as possible.

    Also speaking the Executive Secretary of SUBEB, Mr Joseph Ortse posited that the board was aware of the said issues, stressing that he had already directed that the affected teachers should be paid.

    He contended that the committee set up by government to Implement the promotion of teachers have taken note of the disparities, stating that efforts were on to address them.

    In his remarks, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Benue State Wing, Mr Levi Akuma assured the affected members to remain calm, averring that the committee is stepping up efforts to address their demands.

    Earlier in his address, leader of the group, Mr Elijah Kpenwuan, pointed out that their visit to the board was to register their complain about omission of their names during payment of salaries.

  • Teachers Lauded For Good Turn Out

    Teachers Lauded For Good Turn Out

    By Muhammad Ibrahim,Sokoto

    Executive Chairman State Universal Basic Education board Alhaji Altine Shehu Kajiji made the commendation today during his visit to the school in continuation of his tour of schools under the board.

    According to him the unscheduled visit was aim at seeing things for himself rather than staying in the office expecting that everything is going well.

    He said as a retired season teacher who knows nothing but teaching,he is totally concern about both the teachers and pupils especially with regard to the welfare of teachers as well as improving teaching and learning in all the public basic schools across the state.

    Kajiji reminded them that state government through the board is doing everything humanly possible to improving the welfare of teachers as well as providing necessary teaching and learning materials for effective education service delivery.

    Responding to a request made by the Head Teacher of the school Malam Bello Baraya regarding the security of the school,the chairman promised that a perimeter wall will soon be constructed to restrict from trespassing into the school while lessons are taking place.

    He used the visit to called on other stakeholders such as SBMC,PTA,Traditional and Religious leaders and parent to support the course of education as government alone can not shoulder all the responsibilities.

    The subeb boss however challenged teachers of the school to always put the fear of God in the discharge of their responsibility as they would account for all their deed before Allah in the day of resurrection.

    The subeb chairman however expressed displeasure with the turn out of teachers at Government Girls Secondary school Sanyinna as only 8 out of 21 teachers including the principal have reported as at 8:15 in the morning when he arrived the school.

    He therefore challenged them to change for the better especially in consideration of the fact that must of the students of the school are their brothers and sisters hence the need for them give them quality basic education and good moral upbringing for the benefit of the society.

  • Kaduna Govt Will Sack More Underqualified Teachers – El-Rufai

    Kaduna Govt Will Sack More Underqualified Teachers – El-Rufai

    The Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, has said his administration will sack more underqualified secondary school teachers across the state this year.

    This is as he lamented that some secondary school teachers only have primary school certificates but are teaching in public secondary schools.

    El-Rufai said this on Thursday morning during the weekly ministerial briefing organised by the Presidential media team.

    He revealed that his government has hired more people than it has sacked in the last five years.

    “We have hired over 40,000 civil servants in the last five years, most of them being nurses, midwives and teachers,” the Governor explained.

    He said at the time of the briefing, 7,700 qualified secondary school teachers have been employed and would be deployed once he is done purging secondary schools of underqualified teachers.

    The former FCT Minister explained that his overarching goal is to raise the standard of the public schools in Kaduna; one he can be confident enough to send his son to.

    He, however, revealed that although his son was enrolled in a public school, he reverted to homeschooling due to threats of kidnapping which may put other children at risk.

  • SUBEB Chairman Expressed Dismay Over Teachers’ Turn Out

    SUBEB Chairman Expressed Dismay Over Teachers’ Turn Out

    By Muhammad Ibrahim, Sokoto

    In his effort to ensure proper teaching and regular reporting of teaching staff in schools under the Sokoto Universal Basic Education Board(SUBEB),the Executive Chairman of the Board,Altine Shehu Kajiji has undertaken unscheduled visits to some schools in the state.

    At Bodinga the Chairman expressed dismay over the poor turn out of teachers at Ali Fodio Model Primary School,headquarters of Bodinga local government.

    He described it as disheartening that as at the time of his visit at nine minutes past eight o’clock in the morning,only five Out of fifty two teachers of the school reported to work.

    According to him,the board under his watch would not condone abscondment from duty from any teacher as the state government is not owing no teacher salary.

    Alhaji Altine Shehu thereafter held a brief meeting with some teachers of the school who reported late where he told them to always put the fear of Allah in the discharge of their responsibility.

    He expressed the board’s continued commitment to improving the welfare of teachers under it.

    The chairman used the medium to call on PTA and SBMC of the school to mobilize parents on the need to be sending their children to school at the appointed time.

    This he said was inview of the fact that less than one thousand out of four thousand pupils of the school were met during his visit.

    At Government Girls Day Secondary School Bodinga,the SUBEB Chairman directed the principal and her deputies to report to the board to explain why they were met absent during the visit.