…urges FG, states to employ more
The President of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools of Nigeria, ASUSS, Alh. Alabi Labaika Kazeem, has said that over 10,000 teachers are still required in schools in Lagos State alone.
The ASUSS president also called on government at both the Federal and state levels to employ more qualified teachers to fill the existing vacancies in Nigerian
schools.
This, according to him, had become imperative because over the years retired teachers were not replaced by the government, resulting in the shortage of qualified teachers in public schools all over the country.
“There was the need for us to act fast if we really want to secure a better future for our children,” he said.
He stated this in an interview with our correspondent during the event organised by the association in collaboration with the Basic Education Staff Union of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter to mark the 2018 World Teachers’ Day.
Kazeem added that Lagos State alone needed over 10,000 teachers to fill the existing vacancies across the
state.
“So, the recruitment of 2,200 teachers in Lagos State, 1000 for primary and 1,200 for secondary is not enough. Likewise, there is the need for more teachers in Federal schools across the country,” he
said.
On recruitment, he said the theme for this year’s celebration: “The right to education means the right to a qualified teacher” was well thought out because only qualified teachers could give the right education.
He said, “That is why we want to plead with the Nigeria government to see that whoever they put in charge of recruitment of teachers should not deviate from the
rules.
“They should employ qualified trained teachers, not those who thought they can take teaching as a stepping stone to their greatness.”
The ASUSS boss also urged the government to put in place adequate budget for education, especially the 26 per cent recommended by the United Nations so that the education sector could have its own share in the system.
The State President of BESUN, Comrade Faribido Titus, in his speech, commended teachers in the state for their selfless service and dedication to work.
He urged them to continue with the good work as the country continued to strive for quality education.
The Chairman of the occasion and Deputy President, Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, Comrade Salako Sunday, urged the teachers to go extra miles in the process of teaching their students.
Sunday, who was represented by the National President, Association of Senior Staff of Banks Insurance and Financial Institution, Mrs. Oyinkan Olasanye, said this was necessary because the teaching profession was the only one that touched the mind, heart and built the
future.
On the increase in wages being demanded by the Nigeria Labour Congress, Olasanye said the government should do the needful, especially for the teachers because “there is nothing we pay teachers that will be enough for what they are doing.
“For teachers, it is not about the showoff or the immediate reward, but it is about what they are bringing to the table for national
development.”
One of the retirees honoured on the occasion, Prince Akinyemi Solomon, commended the associations for their yearly support of cash and home
appliances.
He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the opportunity.
