NUT: Why There is Mass Exodus of Teachers from Niger State Schools

Laleye Dipo in Minna

The Nigeria Union of Teachers. Niger State Chapter, has attributed the mass exodus of teachers from schools in the state to poor remuneration, lack of adequate welfare and teaching materials for teachers as well as decayed educational infrastructure.

The union also attributed the situation to government’s refusal to implement agreements reached with teachers in addition to refusal to fully implement the Teachers Salary Scale (TSS) structure.

The State Chairman of the union, Akayago Adamu Mohammed, made the revelations in Minna, while speaking at the ceremony to mark this year’s World Teachers Day which had as its theme: “The Teachers We Need for Education We Want: The Global Imperative to Reverse Teacher Shortage,” at Minna.

Akayago, stated that 10 years after the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) approved the TSS for teachers across the country, “only eight per cent and two per cent have been implemented for professional and non-professional teachers in the state,” adding that the N30,000 minimum wage has also not been fully and properly implemented for secondary school teachers as agreed with organised labour.

“These and others have contributed to the Mass Exodus of teachers from the state” Akayago declared adding also that, “teachers deserve special palliative package arising from the present most challenging working economic situation in the country.”

The NUT chairman however commended teachers in the state for, “keeping their heads high even in the face of all odds.”

The State Governor, Alhaji Mohammed Umar Bago, in an address to the event promised that all issues that have to do with education at all levels would be given top priority by the administration.

Bago, who was represented by his Deputy, Yakubu Garba, said government had already paid N4 billion counterpart funds to donor agencies, saying physical drawdowns would soon commence before advising that judicious use of the funds should be made to justify the huge investments.