A lawmaker at the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Olusegun Olulade, has advocated for a 20 percent increase in the remuneration of teachers and doctors working in rural areas as incentives.
This gesture, he said, would enhance the growth and development of the affected communities.
Olulade, who represents Epe Constituency 2, made this plea at the maiden edition of his programme tagged ‘Eleniyan Ambassadors,’ designed to recognise and reward pupils from public primary schools that came first to third in primaries four, five and six respectively in his constituency at Epe.
Olulade noted that such development would not only enable the rural dwellers access dividends of democracy, but would also enhance migration from urban centers to rural areas.
He added: “We are working with the governor (Akinwunmi Ambode) to see how best to approach the shortage of teachers in schools in Epe and other rural communities. We should introduce incentives to teachers in rural areas in order to encourage those who are there.
“Additional 20 percent of their remuneration should be given to teachers, doctors and others who provide essential services to encourage the workers in the areas.”
The lawmaker who is also chairman of the House Committee on Health, urged teachers and other essential service providers to work in rural areas, saying that it was economical and safe.
Highlight of the event was the distribution of educational materials, which included branded school bags, exercise books, mathematical sets, food items among other things to 324 pupils who took first to third positions from the 36 public primary schools in his constituency by the lawmaker.
According to him, the exercise which he assured would be held annually, will create a healthy academic competition amongst pupils in the area.