Teachers beg states, school owners to abide by protocols

Teachers under the aegis of Nigeria Union of Teachers have begged state goevrments and non-state providers of education to comply strictly with the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines developed for the safe reopening of schools by the Federal Government.

The union stated that obeying the protocols and guidelines would help safeguard the health and safety of the learners, the teachers and the school community as a whole.

This was disclosed by the NUT National President Nasir Idris during a briefing to mark this year’s World Teachers Day in Abuja.

This year’s celebration has, “Teachers: leading in crises, reimagining the future”, as its theme.

Idris, who was represented by the NUT National Publicity Secretary, Amba Audu, noted that the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on education had further required teachers to lead and to confront the “new normal” with greater capacity for innovation and creativity.

He stated: “As the nation takes necessary steps to reopen schools at all levels for academic activities, we urge the Federal Ministry of Education to ensure that both state and non-state providers of education comply strictly with the COVID -19 protocols and guidelines to safeguard the health and safety of the learners, the teachers and the school community as a whole.

“Today, the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on education has further required teachers to lead and to confront the ‘new normal’ with greater capacity for innovation and creativity.”

The NUT appealed to the government to consider an upward reveal of the retirement age of teachers and education officers, approve and implement the 27.5 per cent professional allowance for teachers of unity schools.

The union also demanded the establishment of Teachers’ Salary Structure (TSS) and other incentives for teachers to address the peculiarities of the teaching career and to uphold the true identity and status of the profession.

Minister of State for Education Emeka Nwajiuba stated that the government instituted the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award to appreciate and recognise teachers for their productivity and quality service delivery.

He said 774 best teachers from the 774 local government areas would be rewarded during the 2020 World Teachers’ Day event slated for October 5, this year.