Rivers: Teachers Decries Deplorable State of Schools in Rural Communities

 Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Teachers in Rivers State have expressed concerns over the poor conditions of schools in the rural communities, stressing that the development was affecting learning process.

The teachers made the assertion yesterday, during the 2023 World Teachers’ Day ragged: “The Teachers We Need for the Education We Want; the Global Imperative to Reverse Teacher Shortage.”

However, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Mr. Collins Echikpu, in his address commended the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for his innovative projects that are targeted at repositioning the education sector of the state.

The NUT Chairman also called on the governor for an urgent attention on the deplorable state of schools in the local communities.

He said: “We are not mindful of the fact that our governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, is a teacher friendly governor. The Nigeria Union of Teachers is also grateful to you for your prompt payment of teachers’ salaries.

“We wish to inform you that schools in rural communities are in deplorable condition and it is affecting teaching and learning.”

Echikpu, noted that based on the efforts of the government that teachers do not have much worries, but particularly called on the governor to give due attention to employment of teachers.

“Teachers in Rivers State have no much complains this year, but there are issues that we need attention on. We plead with you that based on the importance of role of teacher to approve the new retirement age in Rivers State as a further step of motivation.

“Promotion and issuance of promotion letters and ensure it financial implications. Many have received their promotion letters and are enjoying it, while many others have not been promoted. We call on you to hasting up the process of their promotion.”

Meanwhile, the state government has promised that it would continue to prioritise the welfare of teachers in the state.

Commissioner for Education, Prof. Chinedu Mmom, at the event, on behalf of the governor, told the teachers that government had begun renovation and remodeling of schools in the state, adding that the state government has invested billions of naira in the process.