By Samuel Ogenyi, Uyo
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Akwa Ibom State chapter has decried the rapidly dwindling number of teachers in classrooms across the state.
The Teachers’ union has also raised concerns over lack of the known mentorship on teaching norms and ethos from the experienced teachers to younger ones, as the few experienced hands are overwhelmed with workloads.
State Chairman of the union, Comrade Etim Ukpong raised these complaints on the occasion of the 2020 World Teachers Day celebration on the theme: “Leading in Crisis, Reimagining the Futute” in Uyo on Monday
The NUT Boss appealed to the state government to employ more qualified teachers to fill the void in the state and appealed for improved funding of the education sector.
“We have also witnessed during the year; dearth of attention on retired and families of teachers who died in active service, delays in payment of monthly pensions to veterans of the teaching profession, lack of gratuity, thereby increasing the fears in the hearts of serving teachers”. The chairman said.
He also raised concerns on over-bloated sources of inspection, monitoring and supervision by agents of government, with attendant unfriendliness and fault -findings “on the few, overloaded teachers left in the system, thereby creating confusion”.
The teachers also reminded government on the pending issues of 7.5percent contributory pension refunds, arrears and present Leave Grants and the need for Teachers in the state to be made to feel a sense of belonging, to boost their morale to serve the state better.
Addressing the occasion, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, Comrade Sunny James decried over-population of classrooms in public schools in the state and called on government to consider building new schools.
The 2020 World Teachers Day celebration in a Akwa Ibom ended on an exciting mood, as the teachers reacted to news about the President’s approval of 65year retirement age for teachers.
