Tinubu to Teachers: Under My Watch, Your Due Reward Will Be Given to You

* Orders revision of guidelines to prioritise IT, AI, others as teaching technologies

Deji Elumoye in Abuja 

President Bola Tinubu has assured teachers in the country that his government will ensure they get their due reward.

The President, who gave the pledge on Thursday during the 2023 World Teachers’ Day commemoration at the Eagle Square, Abuja regretted the challenges confronting Nigerian teachers, including overcrowded classrooms, scarce resources and limited opportunities for professional development, which he said are the result of prolonged neglect of the noble profession. 

President Tinubu, who was represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, noted that Nigeria’s future can only be safeguarded by investing in education, empowering the teachers and providing every child with the tools to reach their dream destination.

Delivering the president’s keynote address titled ‘Teacher Appreciation: Nurturing Minds, Changing Lives’, Shettima said: “Our commitment to actualising our education reforms is to drive the emergence and sustenance of a system that recognises that education is the mother of new ideas and groundbreaking discoveries. 

“With well-taught workforces, we are not only going to build a nation that thinks but one that lives in an interconnected world, a world where the exchange of knowledge and ideas knows no boundaries. Without motivated teachers, we can’t build a nation that fosters such international cooperation, builds bridges of understanding, and addresses global challenges such as climate change, poverty and healthcare. So, education, to us, and I believe to you too, is not just a means to individual success; it is a path to global harmony and sustainable development.

“Of course, our dear teachers, we are not just going to focus solely on technological advancements. The human aspect of education is just as critical as the infrastructure. Our teachers deserve to be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. It is my promise that we will work tirelessly to build a society where the teacher’s reward begins to manifest here on earth.”

Noting that every educated person is a product of teachers, President Tinubu expressed the nation’s gratitude to Nigerian teachers, reassuring them that their profession is a prime in the vision for the nation and her development agenda. 

According to him, “So, this day is more of a thanksgiving to honour those who have nurtured us, those who have guided us towards the hills upon which we stand today.

“I believe that there’s no vehicle that can transport you to your destination as safely as education. It is the reason every child, regardless of their background, awaits a future of vast possibilities. It is the reason the child of a disadvantaged family in a remote village clings to the same future as children from privileged homes with certainty. 

“Education is the miracle that changes the fortune of a family in a single generation. Thanks to you, our dear teachers, we have broken down barriers and created a society where merit, talent, and hard work supersede the circumstances of one’s birth. 

“So, by investing in education, by empowering our teachers, and by providing every child with the tools to reach their dream destination, we have safeguarded the future of this nation.”

Observing that the world has undergone serious changes, the president said in the age of artificial intelligence where technology is transforming every facet of lives, teachers face new challenges and opportunities in a digital era.

President Tinubu disclosed that he has directed the Ministers of Education to collaborate with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation  to comprehensively revise existing guidelines “to ensure that anyone seeking to benefit from this Act must be fully prepared to return to the classroom, equipped with the latest teaching techniques and skills, especially in the realm of information technology”.

He continued: “I am pleased to share with you a significant policy initiative, the Harmonised Retirement Age of Teachers in Nigeria Act 2022, which allows our dedicated teachers to continue their invaluable service for up to forty years or until reaching the age of sixty-five, whichever comes first. This measure is designed to retain the wealth of experience within our educational system and bolster the number of educators in our schools.

“I encourage each of you to consider taking advantage of this policy, but please bear in mind that eligibility is not automatic. To benefit from this Act, you must possess contemporary teaching skills, including proficiency in information technology, as we strive to equip our students for both the challenges of today and the opportunities of tomorrow.”

Recalling that the role of a teacher had moved from not only imparting knowledge, the president said it has extended far beyond that, and they are now expected to be technologically adept, adaptable and innovative. 

“They must equip their students with skills that are relevant to an ever-evolving job market, where automation and AI are becoming increasingly prevalent. Our commitment to education must evolve with the times.

“Our plan for the education sector is to make it a system capable of harnessing the potential of new learning technologies. Our agenda is to build a system where artificial intelligence, augmented reality and virtual classrooms are not mere buzzwords. They are tools that can revolutionize the way we teach, learn and think. 

“We are going to invest in modernizing our educational infrastructure and make sure that we are in step with the world on the road to the future,” Tinubu added.

On what informed government’s decision to present the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Awards this year, the president said improving the condition of teachers was not enough.

His words: “This is why we will foster a culture of appreciation for our teachers. This is why we will recognise their contributions not just on World Teachers’ Day but throughout the year. 

“Our teachers are not only educators but also mentors, guides and role models who shape the character and aspirations of our children. Every nation reflects the satisfaction of its teachers.”