The president stated that he intends to begin repositioning teachers in January 2022 and will work with the Ministry of Defense to double school security and ensure that teachers and students are safe.
The president stated that his promise was made in response to the constant kidnapping of students and teachers, particularly in the country’s north.
The nation’s leader made the announcement on Tuesday, Oct. 5, through his representative, Chkwuemeka Nwajiuba, minister of state for education, at the 2021 World Teachers Day, WTD, and the Presidents’ Teachers Schools Excellence Awards in Abuja.
Buhari also stated that preparations were already being made to ensure that teacher salaries were prioritized, and that these plans would go into effect in January 2022.
He said: ”I am not going to recount the entire components/for implementation; however, the Federal Ministry of Education has commenced the pilot implementation of the increase in retirement age to 65 or 40 years of service for teachers and education officers Guidelines to ensure seamless implementation has been negotiated and outstanding salaries of affected teachers will soon be paid before December 2021.
“The revitalization and re-positioning of teachers is already on course and will significantly impact on relevant issues, pre-service training, remuneration, in-service training, retirement, special allowances and assistance to own low-cost houses etc. There will be more advocacy and consensus building with relevant stakeholders including state governments and others to realize all the targets that will re-position the 21st century teacher in Nigeria.”
In his keynote address, he stated that “teachers’ welfare is paramount in the scheme of things,” and that “negotiations are ongoing to ensure that your salary is prioritized.”
Buhari, on the other hand, reminded the teachers that “to whom much is given, much is expected.”
“I assure you that the implementation of most of the targets in the repositioning of teachers will be achieved by January 2022. However, I want you all to know that teachers’ welfare is paramount in the scheme of things and negotiations are ongoing to ensure that your salary is prioritized.
“As you celebrate the 2021 WTD, always remember that to whom much is given, much is expected,” he said.
His speech read in part:” The focus of the theme is on the role of teachers in the face of Covid-19. When schools were closed abruptly due to the novelty of the pandemic, teachers ingeniously adapted their teaching methodologies and collaborated extensively with other teachers for knowledge sharing to address the situation. Consequently, online teaching and learning became the norm and our learners were occupied effectively without the traditional in-person interaction.
“I salute the Nigerian teachers and education officers who kept faith with the profession over the years despite the obvious challenges. The World Teachers’ Day (WTD) celebration is meant to create awareness on the status of teachers in our society as enunciated by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and International Labour Organization in 1994. “UNESCO further inaugurated Teacher’s day to be marked on 5th of October every year. The intention was to institutionalize the commemoration and also motivate respective countries to revitalize the profession.
“For us in Nigeria, this is a memorable day and also the first anniversary of the renaissance of the Nigerian teacher due to the pronouncement to reposition and revitalize the teaching profession.
“The 2020 World Teachers Day in Nigeria was phenomenal as all that is needed to invigorate and revitalize the teaching profession was packaged and the Honourable Minister of Education was mandated to implement accordingly’. I am not going to recount the entire components for implementation; however, the Federal Ministry of Education has commenced the pilot implementation of the increase in retirement age to 65 or 40 years of service for teachers and education officers Guidelines to ensure seamless implementation has been negotiated and outstanding salaries of affected teachers will soon be paid before December 2021.
“I know that for Teachers to effectively be at the Heart of Education Recovery, there is need for continuous re-tooling. Teachers and all those connected with teaching and learning will henceforth undergo annual training on modern techniques of teaching and learningThis will include digital Literacy trainings in pedagogy, Information and
“Communication Technology and others. Education parastatals like NTI, TRCN, CPN, NUC, NCCE, UBEC, PTDF, TETFund, and other non- governmental organizations will partner with the government to achieve this feat.
“Also, the re-introduction of Bursary awards to Education students in the Universities and Colleges of Education with the assurance of automatic employment upon graduation would encourage more students to take up offer courses in Education. Education parastatals; UBEC, TETFund, and PTDF would partner with government to commit funds to be managed by the Federal Scholarship Board who has the mandate to disburse funds to beneficiaries.
“The revitalization and re-positioning of teachers is already on course and will significantly impact on relevant issues, pre-service training, remuneration, in-service training, retirement, special allowances and assistance to own low-cost houses etc. There will be more advocacy and consensus building with relevant stakeholders including state governments and others to realize all the targets that will re-position the 21st century teacher in Nigeria.
“I assure you that the implementation of most of the targets in the repositioning of teachers will be achieved by January 2022. However, I want you all to know that teachers’ welfare is paramount in the scheme of things and negotiations are ongoing to ensure that your salary is prioritized Ladies and gentlemen, as you celebrate the 2021 WTD, always remember that to whom much is given, much is expected.”
“Teachers in Nigeria and NUT are therefore implored to reflect on the past and reciprocate this landmark gesture by explicitly committing to the provision of excellent service delivery. This will complement our efforts to provide and sustain quality education for all.”
