*Uzodimma Approved Promotion of Workers, Teachers Inclusive- Commissioner*
A former Vice President of Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Imo State chapter, Chief Anthony Ngiah, has appealed to the state government to urgently improve the quality of education in the State, which he described as worrisome.
Ngiah, who made the remark at World Teachers Day celebration, held at Freedom Square, Owerri, on Wednesday said education requires urgent attention from the present administration in the State.
Ngiah, who was Chairman of the event, said education and welfare of teachers in the State has been on the decline, noting that the present administration do have the resources and capacity to improve the level of education in the State.
In his speech, Imo State Chairman of the NUT, Rev Philip Nwansi, said the state government is yet to implement the already harmonized retirement age for teachers Act 2022 whereas other states such as Anambra, Nassarawa, Cross River, Borno have implemented the new policy.
“The entire education sector has suffered set back because of unpaid salary issues. Usual running cost that were previously released to school heads and principals have been stopped by this administration. Some of our students and pupils in the rural areas learn under trees, structures are in a sorry state and have formed death traps housing rodents in them.
“The national policy on education stipulates that teachers pupil ratio should be 1:40, this ratio is exceeded in our education system” Nwansi said
He stressed the need to recruit new teachers, especially science teachers to meet the present challenges.
The State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Sylvester Okorondu, who represented the governor at the event, explained that Governor Hope Uzodimma recently approved promotion of workers in the state and other incentives, including teachers, revealing that he also approved the release of N5 million to support Teachers Day celebration in the State.
In her remarks, The Executive Secretary, Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB), Dr. Mrs J.A Nwanebo described 2022 Teachers Day celebration theme “The Transformation Of Education Begins With Teachers” as crucial and in tandem with the current drive of the state government to transform the system and encouraged teachers to be more passionate in their practice.