The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Yobe State Chapter, has identified teacher shortage as one of the obstacles militating against sustainable development in the education sector in the state.
Mr. Ado Idrissa, Chairman of the union in the state, made the assertion at an event to mark the 2021 World Teachers Day celebration, on Tuesday in Damaturu.
World Teachers’ Day is observed on Oct. 5, to commemorate the signing of the 1966 UNESCO/ILO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers
The Day aims and focuses on appreciating, assessing, and improving teachers’ welfare as well as provide an opportunity to consider issues related to teachers and teaching.
Idrissa said that the shortage of teachers has remained a major challenge in the education sector in the state, adding that statistics showed that there was an alarming rate of retirement of teachers without replacement.
He, therefore, urged the government at all levels to consider immediate replacement of retired teachers and extend teachers’ service years, employ competent and qualified ones.
The chairman said that the NUT had recorded modest achievements in the past year in the execution of various programmes aimed at improving the wellbeing of its members.
Idrissa listed some of the projects to include the construction of 12 chalets and procurement of two 18-seater buses.
The other was the procurement of three official vehicles, two 27KVA power generators, renovation of NUT conference hall, fencing, and beautification of its secretariat in Damaturu.
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While commending the state government for the implementation of the owner-occupier housing scheme, Idrissa enjoined the government to accord priority to teachers in the distribution of the houses.
Also speaking, Dr. Sani Muhammad, Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Gov. Mai Mala-Buni was aware of the pressing condition facing teachers in the state.
Muhammad said that the governor was aware of the hardship the teachers were experiencing especially the recently adjusted salaries which were born out of necessity.
“The governor mandated the Ministry of Education to collaborate with other agencies to look into the possibilities of implementing outstanding promotion for teachers in primary and secondary schools,” he said.
