Turn a new leaf-Nigerian Teachers to Pupils and Students

Pupils and students in Nigeria have been called upon to turn a new leaf as public primary and secondary schools resume for the second term in Nigeria. This call was made on Tuesday by the chairman of the Oyo state wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT), Comrade Raji Oladimeji. ''When schools resume for a new term from time immemorial, the turn out of pupils and students has always been very low because they want to avoid menial tasks that herald the new term-cutting of overgrown weeds, general cleaning-toilets, staff room, desks and benches and so on. For some days, the turn-out is not always impressive, in the new term they should turn a new leaf.'' Comrade Oladimeji counseled. The NUT chairman maintained that the recruitment of suitable and qualified teachers in certain states was timely, adding, ''Now the distribution of newly recruited teachers has commenced.''

Teachers' Day-Oyo teachers pledge continued loyalty to state governor

 

Teachers in Oyo state have pledged their continued loyalty to the state governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde for his good deeds to them.

The teachers made this pledge on Saturday through the chairman of the state wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT), Comrade Raji Oladimeji during the 2024 World Teachers Day celebration in Ibadan, Nigeria.

''On behalf of all the teachers in Oyo state, I say thank you father, we will remain loyal. We appreciate the governor for so many things he has done for us. Kindly permit me to mention a few of the laudable achievements so far recorded since the assumption of office as the Executive Governor of Oyo state: 1)Prompt and regular payment of teachers' salaries on the 25th day of every month or earlier should that date fall on a holiday or weekend; 2)Payment of N25,000 palliative to teachers since October 2023, to cushion the negative effect of the fuel subsidy removal by the Federal Government. 3)Mass promotion of qualifed secondary school teachers to salary Grade Level 17. First of its kind in the annals of the history of Oyo state. 4) Mass promotion of graduate teachers in primary schools to a salary of Grade Level 15, among others.''

Not surprisingly, parents and guardians in the state have continued to express mixed feelings about the behavior and conduct of pupils and students in public and private schools spread across the state.

In a show of appreciation, the NUT chairman named the NUT(Endwell)Model College sports complex, Owode Housing Estate, Apata, after the state governor.

Similarly, in his remarks, the chairman of the state council of the Nigeria Labor Congress(NLC)Comrade Kayode Martins commended the state governor for all his good gestures to workers in the state, saying''we want to appreciate you for giving us so much. You have done so much for us. The NLC Oyo state council appreciate you.''

Awards of excellence were given to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Debo Ogundoyin, the majority leader of the state House of Assmebly, Hon. Sanjo Adedoyin, the commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Prof. Salihu Adelabu, the chairman of the state Teaching Service Commission, Pastor Akinade Alamu, the chairman of the state Universla Baisc Education, Dr. Nureni Adeniran and a member of the ninth assembly of the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Shina Peller.

However, the chairman of Jogor Events Center, Engr. Femi Babalola, also an awardee, was conspicuously absent.

At the 2023 World Teachers day, the special guest of honor of the state council of the NUT was a reputable business executive and philanthropist, Engr. Dotun Sanusi.

Private school teachers in Nigeria lament poor salaries

 

Teachers in primary and secondary schools in Nigeria have expressed worries over their poor salaries and despicable conditions of service.

The teachers, who lamented that they were experiencing great difficulties in meeting up with their domestic obligations, stressed that the new minimum wage of N70,000 may not be realistic in a number of private schools in the country.

Mrs. Memuna Ibrahim, a teacher in the Lube area of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT) disclosed that salaries in private schools were very ridiculous,''most of these schools pay below N25,000''

However, Ejembi Ada, a teacher in a private school in Akwanag in Nasarawa state, maintains that most private schools don't issue letters of appointment and conditions of service, these schools treat teachers like casual workers.''

Interestingly, Matthew Audu, a teacher in a private secondary school in Lokoja, Kogi state, noted that the poor treatment of teachers in private schools has negatively affected the performance of pupils and students in internal and external examinations.

October 5, annually, is set aside to commemorate international teachers' day.

Teachers in Nigeria, however, insist that they have every cause to celebrate the gift of life, despite the prohibitive prices of foodstuffs, transportation, other goods and services which have gone beyond the reach of millions of disillusioned Nigerians.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Unimpressive Attitude

 In every part of Nigeria today, most children leave school without attaining these standards.

The present system of education at all levels of government is not only bad for the children but also for the teachers. The teaching profession has been debased by the government and the unimpressive attitude of the teachers.

Parents have a major duty to their children, but most parents habitually neglect this major duty.

Untrained teachers and bad methods of teaching, projects by contractors that were not inspected with adequate motive, un-revised or ill-revised policies and the complete absence of all organizations of schools in relation to one another constitute an unspecified number of evils of public and private schools in Nigeria.

The allocations in the budgets of the Federal and State governments over the years to the education sector has had little or no impact on the sector.

Recruitment of Teachers-We Commend Gov. Makinde-Oyo NUT Chairman

In most recent times, parents and guardians in Oyo state have expressed great worries over the dwindling performance of their children and wards in private and public schools in the state. The major challenges revolve around the visible absence of quality education coupled with the difficulties in pinpointing the impact of education on pupils and students.

In this interview, the chairman of the state council of the Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT), Comrade Raji Oladimeji commends the state governor for embarking  on the massive recruitment of teachers in public primary and secondary schools in the state.

Excerpts:

The Oyo state government is in the process of recruiting teachers into government owned primary and secondary schools in the state. What is your reaction?

Let us first appreciate God for the privilege of life. We equally need to appreciate, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde for providing an enabling environment for teachers in the state and for taking drastic action on the issue of the shortage of teachers. How do we cope at the different labor centers in relation to the shortage of manpower?

The issue of shortage of workers is not limited to Oyo state alone, labor unions are complaining in Kano, Sokoto, Abia, Imo and many other states. 

The problem in Oyo state has been addressed headlong.

The state government has decided to recruit 7,000 primary school teachers, 7,000 secondary school teachers, 3,000 non-teaching staff and 100 helpers for special schools. They are not likely to be degree holders. Each school will have 3 watchmen.

It is unprecedented in the history of oyo state. It is not for political patronage as has been insinuated, but the recruitment would be based on merit. We cannot doubt them.

The prospective teachers would undergo Computer-Based Tests. We do not need to doubt them. Candidates have started registering online. The registration is free of charge. It is a good thing that has come. 

We appreciate teachers for their perseverance and dedication-Oyo NUT chairman

The Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT) in Oyo state has commended teachers in Oyo state for their commitment, perseverance and dedication in the face of the present social and economic realities in Nigeria.

The NUT chairman in the state, Comrade Raji Oladimeji gave this commendation on behalf of the union.

''We appreciate teachers for their commitment, perseverance and dedication. We also need to admonish them not to relent on their efforts. We are also aware of the challenge the shortage of teachers has brought about. It is not only in this state, but everywhere. We appeal to them to continue to go about their daily tasks with the zeal they have always exhibited. Teachers will soon be recruited,'' Comrade Oladimeji.

The NUT chairman disclosed that the majority of the teachers had registered with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria(TRCN), saying, ''to the best of my knowledge, I don't believe that we still have some teachers who have not registered. 99 percent of teachers in the state have registered with TRCN. The issue is with the private schools.''

Comrade Oladimeji insisted that a number of factors were responsible for the failure of students in external examinations, adding,''the blame for the failure of students in external examinations should not be put on teachers alone.  There are other factors we have to consider, such as the examination centers.''

Similarly, Dr. Francis Amenaghwon of the Department of Communication and Language Arts, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan attributed the massive failure of candidates in the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination(UTME) to inadequate funding practices by the government,  the reluctance of students to learn, the prevalence of unqualified teachers in public and private schools and sharp pracitces by some examination officials.

Pay Teachers Good Salaries-Former NUT Official

 

 

 The government and private school owners have been advised to  motivate teachers with attractive salaries.

This advice was given by  a former official of  the Oyo state wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT),Comrade Olu Abiala on Thursday during the 2023 World Teachers' Day celebration organized by the NUT in badan, Oyo state, Nigeria.

''Public and private school owners need to invest more in teachers' wages and salaries to motivate  teachers to give their best for the development of Nigeria tomorrow. The vision of growth  and development within the time-frame can only  be achieved in Nigeria with the appropriate manpower, and in adequate quantity and quality. Only sincere commitment to investment in the teachers, today in terms of a comprehensive welfare package, can make that dream come true tomorrow.''

In his remarks, the chairman of the union in the state, Comrade Raji Oladimeji  called on the state government to urgently address the issue of shortage of teachers in primary schools in the state.

''May I present the following humble request to teachers for prompt attention and approval from Your Excellency : Urgent  recruitment of qualified and competent teachers to fill the important vacancies in our primary schools across the state'', Comrade Oladimeji stated.

Domesticate Retirement for Teachers-Oyo NUT Chairman to State Government

The Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT) Oyo state Wing has appealed to the state government to speedily domesticate the elongation of Service for TEACHERS as approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria. This appeal was made on Wednesday by the NUT chairman, Comrade Raji Oladimeji Ismail at the celebration of World Teachers day with the Theme '' The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers'' in Ibadan, Oyo state. ''Teachers are indispensable and their impact on nation building is a reflection of the great strides globally. State governments should do the needful to domesticate the 40/65 years elongation of service and years of retirement age.'' ''While bringing my address to a close, may I appeal to the government of Engineer Seyi Makinde to please work on the above mentioned for the sustainance of the various achievements recorded in the education sector.''

The Fate of Teachers

The shabby treatment of teachers by the government and the organized private sector has over the years, affected education at all levels. There is an urgent need to train and retrain teachers in various educational and developmental programs to attain quality education. In addition, the creation of a conducive environment, inspiring conditions of service and other incentives would go a long way to aid improved performance, effectiveness and efficiency of teachers. On the part of the teachers, dedication and devotion to duty ought to be among their guiding lights in the process of grooming pupils and students to become assets, rather than liabilities to society. Those who are given the responsibilities to impact knowledge, must be kind, understanding and firm, while ruling a line between firmness and harshness. In addition, the teacher should embark on a continuous learning, reading and experimenting to maintain acceptable standards in the academic performance of pupils and students alike. Note- The Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN) has declared that the wicked shall not rule the land of Nigeria, while former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has advised Nigerians not to vote in killers in the 2023 general elections

Insecurity-Identify Trouble makers in Communities-Oyo NUT Chairman

Nigerians have been advised to identify criminals in their communities as a crucial step towards addressing the unending insecurity in the land. This advice was given on Thursday by the chairman of the Oyo state council of the Nigeria Union of Teachers(NUT), Comrade Raji Oladimeji in a chat at the union's state secretariat in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. ''The spate of insecurity in different parts of the country is alarming. We have to go back to the drawing board. That is why we have to appeal to the parents forum to rejig the security apparatus in our various communities. Schools are located within communities. Let us identify those who constitute a nuisance within the community. Let us also be our brother's keeper,'' Comrade Oladimeji stated. The chairman vowed to pursue the advancement of the welfare of union members to a logical conclusion, saying, ''believe in your leaders, our constant discussion and engagement with the Government is yielding results, the issue of leave bonuses has been resolved, other issues shall be resolved.'' He commended the state government for reinstating 120 primary school teachers who were previously laid off, adding,'', to us a responsible body, it is a welcome decision, it is a good development.''