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Tag: Nigerian Union of Teachers

  • Kwara teachers accuse leaders of hobnobbing with govt

    Teachers under the aegis of Kwara state Concerned Teachers have accused the leadership of the state Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) of hobnobbing with the state government.

    The group said that the NUT leadership in the state has mortgaged the welfare and interest of its members.

    Speaking with THE NATION, Spokesperson of the concerned teachers, Mallam Abdulwahab Abubakar, urged the incoming government in to place high premium on workers’ welfare to stabilise its administration.

    Abubakar said: “The motive of gathering is to tell the labour leaders in Kwara state that this is the time for them to come together and form a formidable power.

    “The essence of having unions is to cater for the welfare of workers in the state. But in Kwara state, it is as if labour leaders are not there for the workers at all.

    “The labour leaders have been hobnobbing with the government. This time around we need virile and vibrant labour leaders that will fight for workers’ welfare in the state.

    “Besides, most of our benefits are being denied us. The benefits

    include leave bonus, promotion etc. Whenever these things are not being paid to workers, it behoves labour leaders to come out and demand for them. It is injurious to workers for labour and government to have friendly relationship. In situation where labour leaders and government have good rapport, it means the labour leaders are not there for workers’ interest.

    Read Also: Kwara workers to receive salaries this week— Governor’s aide

    “As we await the incoming government in the state, we want a formidable labour leader that will be there for the workers.

    “The labour leaders in the state, candidly speaking are not there for us. I am making reference to NUT.

    “NUT should close rank and form a formidable force so that teachers in the state will have a relief.

    “Our advice to the incoming government is that it should take workers welfare as a priority.”

    He added: “The state government was owing the teachers in the state three months’ salary arrears with some percentage. But to our surprise, we were only paid 81 percent of our March salary out of the huge amount of money that came to the coffers of the state government from the federation account.

    “It is uncalled for. We expect our leaders to come out and confront the government.”

  • World Teachers’ Day: Oyo NUT calls for stiffer admission requirements

    The leadership of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in Oyo state, has called on the Federal Government to increase the scores and admission requirements for education degree applicants to universities and colleges of education in the country, in order to improve the quality of teachers in the country.

    The NUT said if the requirements are increased, many applicants will not see teaching and education courses as a last resort to those who couldn’t secure admission to study their dream courses.

    The call was made by the Oyo State Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress, Waheed Olojede, while speaking at an event to commemorate the 2018 World Teachers Day, which held at Teachers House, Oluyole Estate, Ring Road, Ibadan.

    Olojede, who doubles as the State Secretary of the NUT, noted that a key issue that has affected the quality of education over the years, was the mindset of many people who joined the teaching profession.

    He said many admission seekers consider education courses as those reserved for only those who don’t have the requirements to study Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, Engineering among other top rated courses.

    He stressed that the trend must be reversed and education and teachers’ training courses must be taken as First Class courses with stiffer admission requirements, if there must be improvement in the nations educational system, particularly in the training of teachers.

    In her remarks at the event, Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Aderonke Makanjuola, disclosed that the state government has approved the promotion of primary schools teacher across the state.

    She added that the promotion starts from 2011 and assured the teachers that the government is committed to ensuring that beneficiaries get their letters and the entitlements in due course.

    Earlier in his remark, state chairman of the NUT, Adedoyin Samson, commended the state government for the promotion, and urged the administration to explore the various opportunities for improvement of the educational sector.

    Adedoyin stressed that this year’s World Teachers Day celebration theme: “The right to education means the right to qualified teachers” suggests that quality education is a constitutional right of every child as coded in by the United Nation Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and entrench in the Nigeria Universal Basic Education law.

  • World Teachers Day: Oyo NUT calls for stiffer admission requirements

    The leadership of the Nigerian Union of Teachers in Oyo state has called on the federal government to increase the scores and admission requirements for those seeking to study education in various universities and colleges of education in the country so make teaching at par with other elitist professions.

    The Union says if the requirements are increased, many aspiring admission seeker will not see teaching and education courses as that of those who couldn’t secure admission for their dream courses.

    The call was made by the Oyo State Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress, Mr Waheed Olojede while speaking at an event to commemorate the 2018 World Teachers Day, which held at Teachers House, Oluyole Estate, Ring Road, Ibadan.

    Olojede who doubles as the State Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Teachers noted that a key issue that has affected the quality over the years was the mindset which many people who joined the profession did. He added that admission seekers have been made to see education courses as that reserved for only those who don’t have the requirements to study medicine, law, pharmacy, engineering amongst other top rated courses.

    He stressed that the trend must be reversed and education courses and teachers training courses be taken as a first class course with stiffer admission requirements if there must be improvement in the nations educational system, particularly in the training of teachers

    In her remarks at the event, Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) Oyo State, Mrs Aderonke Makanjuola disclosed that the state government has approved the promotion of primary schools teacher across the state.

    She added that the promotion starts from 2011 and assures the teachers that the government is committed to ensuring that all beneficiaries gets their letter and the entitlements.

    Earlier in his remark, State chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Adedoyin Samson commended the state government for the promotion, urging her to also look into the various rooms of improvement that the educational sector needs in the state.

    Read Also: Oyo APC congratulates Oyetola



    Comrade Adedoyin stressed further that his year world teachers day celebration theme: “the right to education means the right to a qualified teachers” suggest that education is a constitutional right of every child as coded in by the United Nation Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and entrench in the Nigeria Universal Basic Education law.

    He urged Nigerians to rise to the rescue by providing the necessary support for the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), to forestall recruitment of unqualified teachers in Oyo State education system.He said, “The importance of education is more widely recognized today than ever before, but those who play the central role in providing it, it means teachers all over the world must be competent and qualify.

    “No nation can develop greater than the quality of its teachers and teachers deserve appropriate recognition, remuneration and rewards corresponding to their humanitarian efforts.”

  • Anambra NUT boss tasks Obiano’s aides on true partnership

    Mr Ifeanyi  Offordile, the Anambra Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), on Thursday called on the newly-appointed aides of Gov. Willie Obiano to work for the realisation of the state’s goals in the  Education Sector.

    Offordile made the remark in an interview with the our reporters in Awka.

    He, however, urged them to work together as a team to consolidate on the achievements already recorded during Obiano’s first tenure.

    According to him, Obiano has recorded a lot of achievements in the past four years and should be working to consolidate on his legacies in his second term, to enhance the overall development of the state.

    He assured that Teachers in the state will continue with their support for the Obiano administration and urged Anambra people to give the governor maximum support.

    Offordile said that the body expects that Obiano will perform far better than he did in his first tenure and appealed to relevant stakeholders to lend their support to the administration.

    He said that the body was hopeful that grey areas in the education sector would be fully addressed in the second tenure of the governor.

    Gov. Obiano of Anambra and his Deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, were sworn-in for their second term in Office on Saturday, March 17, 2018.

    NAN

  • NUT appeals to Enugu State to pay teachers’ gratuity arrears

    NUT appeals to Enugu State to pay teachers’ gratuity arrears

    The Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), on Wednesday, appealed to the Enugu State Government to pay teachers’ gratuity arrears that had spanned over three years.

    The Chairman of NUT Enugu State Wing, Mr Paul Ozor, made the appeal while speaking with News men in Enugu.

    Ozor noted that the payment of the arrears would help to alleviate the challenges being faced by teachers after retirement.

    ‘‘Since 2015, no gratuity payment for primary school teachers in the state and our retired senior citizens, who have served the state meritoriously are not happy with the development.

    ‘‘I appeal that the gratuity arrears should be cleared in order to bring relief to our retired teachers and senior citizens,’’ he said.

    Read Also: NUT threatens strike over arrears, infrastructural decay

    Ozor also revealed that the pension payment for retired teachers was paid last in September, 2017.

    He, however, commended the state government for an up-to-date and prompt payment of teachers’ salaries in the state.

    ‘‘I must confess, the state government is always prompt and regular with teachers’ salaries, especially Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s administration,’’ he said.

    The chairman also urged the state government to donate buses to primary schools as done to each secondary school in the state.

    ‘‘I believe that when buses are donated to schools at the primary level; just as the state government had done in secondary school, it will go a long way to motivate and further enhance productivity at the primary school level,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Pupils’ enrolment up in North East after Boko Haram disruption

    Pupils’ enrolment up in North East after Boko Haram disruption

    States in the North East sub-region have intensified efforts to encourage enrolment of pupils into primary schools following the return of peace to the area.

    A survey indicates that the states have evolved programmes to encourage enrolment in schools, in addition to the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme of the Federal Government.

    Stakeholders in the area say the free feeding programme is playing key role in attracting pupils to remain in school.

    Alhaji Shettima Kullima, Chairman of Borno State Universal Basic Education Board ( SUBEB ) said they had registered 247, 877 pupils in public schools for the 2018 academic year.

    He said that the figure comprised of 142,589 boys and 132, 288 girls enrolled in 623 primary schools spread across the state.

    He explained as a result of the insurgency experienced in the state about 1, 346 schools needed to be rehabilitated and equipped with class room furniture as well as instructional materials, to provide enabling environment for learning.

    Read also: Boko Haram completely defeated – Army

    Kullima said that the improved security situation had encouraged enrolment and retention in schools across the state.

    On school feeding programme, the chairman said the board had concluded arrangement for the commencement of the exercise in designated schools.

    Also commenting, Alhaji Bulama Abiso, the State Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers ( NUT ), said the union had initiated a feeding programme targeting 1,000 displaced pupils to encourage them remain in school.

    He said that the union was spending about N1 million monthly on the feeding exercise in some selected schools in the state capital.

    In Gombe, the state government said it had begun preparations for the implementation of the Home-Grown School Feeding programme across the state.

    “We have passed various stages of preparation and as soon as we conclude, we will start, probably before the year runs out,” said Mrs Maryam Mele, Special Adviser to Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo on Social Investment

    She expressed optimism that the programme would boost enrolment of pupils in primary schools, as well as improve the nutritional status of the children.

    Hajiya Zulaihatu Madugu, Director School Services, SUBEB, said there were 1, 378 pre-primary and primary schools in the state.

    She said the number of Kindergarten enrolment was 5,186 across the state, made up of 2,693 males and 2,493 females, while enrolment in primary schools stood at 625, 904, out of which 432,567 were males  and 193,337 females.

    Prof. Yahaya Yero, Executive Chairman of Bauchi State Universal Education Board ( SUBEB ) said the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme of the Federal Government had increased enrolment of pupils in the state.

    Yero said  in Bauchi that the provision of meals under the programme had increased enrolment by 36 per cent in the 2016/2017 academic session

    He said that the programme had also assisted in retention of pupils and wiped out absenteeism in schools, “as confirmed to him by Education Secretaries from various Local Government Councils.

    “They said that lots of new faces that were previously enrolled but hardly attended classes have become regular pupils.

    “We are happy that the enrolment drive has impacted on our parents because we recorded 36 percent increase in enrolment of pupils in schools.’’

    The SUBEB chairman added that the board had 4,364 schools, with total pupils enrolment figure of 1,079,105, while number of teachers stood at 25, 827.

    Mr Mansur Manusoro, Special Assistant to the state governor on Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Social Investment Programmes, said N1.5 billion had been spent on the implementation of the Home-Grown Schools Feeding Programme in the State.

    According to him, the programme is in its third phase in the state.

    “‎Over 2,000 schools across the state are benefitting from the programme, involving 5,005 cooks feeding 501, 399 children,” he said.

    Meanwhile, Jigawa Government has commenced the implementation of the school feeding programme on January 31, 2018.

    Deputy Governor of the state, Ibrahim Hassan, said at the flag-off of the Home-Grown School Feeding Programme that it would enhance attendance and retention of pupils in primary schools.

    Investigation reveals that there are about 600,000 males to about 250,000 females in primary schools in the state.

    In Yobe, the Executive chairman of SUBEB, Alhaji Goni Ibrahim said there were 1,160 nursery and primary schools in the state, as well as 116 Junior Secondary schools.

    The chairman however said authentic enrolment figures were not available “because people displaced as a result of insurgency are still moving back to their communities.’’

    He however said the board, in collaboration with UNICEF, has engaged in massive sensitization to boost enrolment in primary schools.

    According to the chairman, the state is not captured in the current school feeding programme of the federal government, but expressed optimism that the state would be involved in the next phase.

    In Adamawa, Mr. Julius Kadala, Commissioner for Education said the state had a total primary school enrolment figure of 596, 000 pupils in 1,941 primary schools across the state with 24,000 registered teachers.

    He disclosed that the school feeding programme had not commenced in the state.

    NAN

  • Sacked Kaduna teachers must reapply – NUT, Commissioner

    Sacked Kaduna teachers must reapply – NUT, Commissioner

    The Kaduna State Wing of the Nigerian Union of Teachers ( NUT ) says the 21,780 primary school teachers sacked by Gov. Nasir El-Rufa’i should reapply.

    The state NUT Chairman, Audu Amba, told reporters in Kaduna on Friday that the affected teachers would “reapply, sit for another examination and if passed, they will be reinstated to their previous positions.’’

    The teachers were sacked for allegedly failing a competency test held in June 2017.

    Amba said Gov. El-Rufa’i had directed the State Universal Basic Education Board ( SUBEB ) to open a window for the sacked teachers in its continuous recruitment programme.

    According to him, it is a new window of opportunity for the affected teachers to be reinstated.

    “We therefore, consider this as an achievement to our struggle, and collectively agreed to call off the strike.

    “We are not against any examination to determine the quality and competency of teachers; our problem is the modalities and the processes that the test in question was conducted.

    “What is agreed is that when writing the examination, the affected teachers would be required to indicate their scores in the controversial competency test of June 2017.

    “Therefore, if our teachers would be given another opportunity to sit for another examination and be reinstated, I feel it’s something we could work on to ensure that larger percentage of the affected teachers got their jobs back.’’

    He said that the affected teachers have been directed to await announcement by SUBEB on a date for another recruitment exercise for them to reapply.

    Meanwhile, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Ja’afaru Sani, said that 10, 000 of the affected sacked teachers had re-applied.

    He said that although the sack order remained, the government would consider those that reapplied if they pass the tests to be conducted for them later.

    On whether the teachers would be reinstated to their previous positions, the commissioner said the Head of Service would determine that based on civil service rules.

    “Notwithstanding, about 10,000 of them reapplied and if they pass, they would be reemployed.

    “The new window is particularly for the remaining 11,780 who did not reapply to do so and would be given priority.’’

    The commissioner said that other issues raised by the NUT including welfare, promotion and salary arrears would be looked into.

    According to him, the state government will soon come out with a plan to address teachers’ professionalism and welfare.

    NAN reports that most public primary schools have no teachers since the sack of the 21, 780 teachers by the state government.

    Sani acknowledge the problem, adding that SUBEB has been directed to redeploy teachers to such schools pending when the new set of teachers would be recruited and posted.

    “In the next couple weeks, the first set of teachers, about 10,000 of them would be recruited and posted to the worst hit schools with few or no teachers following the sack exercise.

    “Also, retired teachers and other professional teachers with time to spare have indicated interest to voluntarily teach the pupils until teachers are recruited to fill the gap,’’ the commissioner said.

    However, reporters reliably gathered that only 4,000 out of the more than 43,000 applicants who sat for the recently conducted aptitude test for new teachers scored 75 per cent and above.

    NAN

  • Teachers in Kaduna divided over NUT’s strike order

    Teachers in Kaduna divided over NUT’s strike order

    Teachers in the Zaria Education zone of Kaduna State are divided over the Nigerian Union of Teachers ( NUT )’s recent directive to them to proceed on an indefinite strike.

    The NUT in the state had directed them go on the strike to press home their demand for the reversal of the sack of 22,000 teachers by the state government.

    Investigation revealed that some teachers who passed the examination conducted by government reported for duty on Wednesday.

    A cross section of teachers said on condition of anonymity in some schools in Zaria and Sabongari Local Government Areas that they were coerced to report for work.

    Read also: PDP backs teachers’ strike in Kaduna 

    “I am not here because I want to be here. I have reported for work for fear of victimisation. Government directed all those who passed the examination to come to work.

    “Actually, I am disturbed by the sack of my colleagues who could not get 75 per cent in the examination conducted by government.

    “But remember, examination is not a true test of knowledge; it is a game of luck. One can excellently perform in an examination but may not teach well.

    “I am appealing to government to invite the union for another round of negotiation toward making a head way in the lingering problem,” one of them said.

    Another teacher said he was only being a loyal citizen by following the instruction given to them by the state government to be in their duty posts.

    He said they were directed to write their names on the attendance register.

    He, however, sympathised with those who failed the examination and urged them to see what happened as part of their “destiny.”

    Other teachers claimed that they were in their places of work to satisfy their urge because staying at home would not give them clear picture of what was going on in schools.

    Some others who complied with the NUT directive said that would remain at home until all their demands were met.

    When contacted, Usman Rabi’u, NUT Chairman, Sabongari Local Government, said however that the union was not divided on the matter.

    According to him, some of the teachers were forced to report at their duty posts and leave.

    “I want to assure you that we don’t have a divided house, but we learnt that the Education Secretary had threatened to sack them if they refused to report for work.

    “Some just go to their schools to register and got away. That’s all, but we are appealing to our teachers not to panic. We are doing everything possible to protect their interest,” he assured.

    Rabi’u commended teachers in the area for complying with the strike order and urged them not to waiver “until justice is done.”

    He urged the state government to meet the demands of the union so as not to prolong the strike.

    Members of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps ( NSCDC ) were cited in schools monitoring the situation.

    The state government had issued a circular, threatening to sack any teacher who did not report to his/her duty post.

    NAN

  • Teachers’ strike will not stop education reform – Kaduna Govt.

    Teachers’ strike will not stop education reform – Kaduna Govt.

    Kaduna State Government on Tuesday said the ongoing strike by the Nigerian Union of Teachers ( NUT ) in the state would not stop its education reform.

    In a statement issued in Kaduna by Samuel Aruwan, Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to Gov. Nasiru El-Rufai, the state government said it would not allow unqualified teachers in its schools.

    He said the state government was determined to protect the future of the students as more than two million pupils were enrolled in public primary schools.

    Aruwan commended teachers who reported to work in spite of efforts by the NUT to unlawfully prevent them from working.

    He said the government had begun collation of reports from education administrators on teachers and reiterated that teachers who absented themselves from work would be sanctioned according to the law.

    “Appropriate reminder of the potency of these rules (laws) has been issued in previous government statements.

    “Across the state, the illegality of the NUT’s strike action is being compounded by physical attempts to frustrate those teachers who wish to work.

    “No law permits any worker to tamper with another’s right to work. The attention of the security agencies has been drawn to this dangerous pattern of conduct,” Aruwan said.

    Read also: Court stops El-Rufai from sacking Kaduna teachers

    He said the state government had concluded marking of scripts of 43,000 applicants who applied for teaching positions, disclosing that 25,000 qualified teachers would be employed.

    NAN

  • Education standard: Government tasked on teachers’ salaries, welfare

    Education standard: Government tasked on teachers’ salaries, welfare

    The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) has tasked states government to prioritise teachers’ salaries and welfare to improve the standard of education in the country.

    Prof. Josiah Ajiboye, TRCN Registrar, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) against the backdrop of the Labour Day Celebration in Abuja on Sunday.

    Cue-in audio

    “Teachers welfare should be paramount to our various governments.

    “We want our governors to please wake up; the education of our children is important; the future of the country is in the hands of these teachers; when they are not well taken care of, they cannot put in their best.

    “If we want the best from these teachers; we want to implore the various states governments in Nigeria to please take the issue of teachers’ salary as number one.

    “Let them pay them very well, let them be well remunerated.

    “The teacher is the nation builder; they teach, others learn and so they must be well taken care of.

    “We are advocating at the level of TRCN, as professional teachers, these teachers must be respected, their welfare must be taken care of by the various government and we must value them appropriately.

    “Let us respect them; let us appreciate their work by giving them what is due to them.

    “Many teachers who have done great things in the past are not even being recognised.

    “We want a situation where they will recognise teachers at the Labour Day celebration so that we will encourage those who are in that profession.’’

    Cue-out audio

    Ajiboye called on all state governments to ensure the payment of outstanding salaries of teachers in their states.

    He, however, commended the Federal Government for putting in place measures to ensure that the quality of teaching and teachers in the country was improved.