The Kogi State Government has reiterated its commitment to making the welfare of teachers a priority.
The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Hon Wemi Jones, made the disclosure at the celebration of this year’s World Teachers Day, with the theme: “Teachers at the Heart of Education Recovery” explained that the present administration places high premium on the Education Sector.
Hon. Jones was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Pastor Emmanuel Idenyi, says the promotion of several teachers to the office of Permanent Secretaries, underscored the importance of Teachers in the present Administration.
Hon. Jones desclosed that towards making Education the bedrock of sustainable development, the present administration ensured that it enjoyed 20% of the total budget, promised further increase in the coming years.
He equally added that until recently, the State didn’t have an education law, pointed out that with the law now in place, the Education Sector has been better repositioned for efficiency and effectiveness.
The Commissioner listed the establishment of the Confluence University of Science and Technology, Osara to help enrich the turnout of science and Technology graduates from the State, explained that the present administration is aware of the challenges in the Sector as Enumerated by ASSUS, expressed optimism that it would soon be a problem of the past.
The Commissioner expressed optimism that soon the recruitment of more teachers would be done, assuring that the 2022 budgetary provision would equally address the issues of decay in infrastructure.
While assuring that the present Administration is looking into the demand for minimum wage and other welfare packages as demanded by the Teachers that would make them productive, Hon. Jones, promised that the present Administration would not shy aware from the issues of security for teachers and students in the State.
Earlier in a welcome remarks, Comr. Ranti Ojo, State Chairman of ASUSS-, said this year’s theme could not have come at a better time, said teachers in the State are determined and diligent to delivering quality Education post COVID-19.
Comr. Ojo decried the shortage of teachers in Secondary Schools in the State, called for the implementation of Minimum wage and improve welfare of Teachers.
He called for the implementation of the elongation of Teachers retirement age, improvement in infrastructure and instructional materials, urged for the payment of gratuities for retired teachers. He called for adequate provision for teachers and pupils in schools as well as the call on the Government to implement the minimum wage to enable the Teachers key into the contributory pension scheme.a