The House of Representatives on Wednesday condemned the poor state of teachers’ welfare across the country, and called on governments at all levels to increase the salaries and improve the welfare of teachers in public schools.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, while raising the issue of 2016 Teachers’ Day Celebration under matters of urgent public importance, acknowledged the roles of teachers in the society and called on his colleagues to rise and celebrate them.
On her part, the member representing Dukku/Nafada Federal Constituency of Gombe State, Hon. Aishatu Jibril Dukku decried the poor and sorry state of public teachers and called on the government to increase teachers’ salaries and improve their welfare.
“I am a proud teacher, a proud daughter of a teacher and a proud granddaughter of a teacher. I’m also proud to tell you that notable Nigerian leaders like Late Tafawa Balewa, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Late Umar Musa Yar’Adua and Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan were also teachers.
“The teacher is not an island. The teacher lives amongst us in the society. We must try all within our powers to improve their lives,” Hon. Dukku added.
Also speaking, Hon. Oluwole Oke, who is representing Oriade/Obokun federal constituency of Osun State, canvassed for geometric review of teachers’ salaries to be commensurate with what is obtainable in other countries.
The House unanimously condemned the decay of infrastructures in public schools and called for restructuring and rehabilitation of school facilities as well as rejuvenating the ailing educational sector.
The House also corroborated the stance of their counterparts at the Red Chamber that professionally-trained teachers should be allowed to head strategic positions in the educational sector.
DAILY POST reports that the International Teacher’s Day is always celebrated across the world every 5th of October.
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