TheNewsGuru

Tag: Teachers

  • JUST IN: Buhari approves special salary scale for teachers

    JUST IN: Buhari approves special salary scale for teachers

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a special salary scale for Nigerian teachers while also increasing the years of service from 35 years to 40 years.
    Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu made this known in Abuja during the occasion of the 2020 World Teacher’s Day.
    The theme of celebration ” Teachers: Leading in Crisis Reimagining the Future”captures the resilience of Teachers and school administrators globally amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
    Buhari instructed the ministry to facilitate the implementation of the new teachers salary scheme saying this will encourage the teachers in delivering better service.
    According to him, teachers have the power to shape and reshape the lives of young people and help learners to enhance their potentials.
    ” Only great teachers can produce excellent people and students that will make the future of our country great.
    ”A positive or negative influence of teacher on any child will have effect on that child. Therefore the federal government is ensuring quality education to access
    ” My administration has resolved that quality education of teachers in terms of engagement of continued professional development has to be given priority.
    ” The future of this country will be a function of quality education delivered to our children today and this depend on the quality of our teachers and the quality of our teachers depend on the motivation and their motivation depends on how happy they are doing what they are doing.
    ” To address these challenges, my administration has approved the following for teachers and the teaching profession. That in order to attract investment in the teaching profession, the quality of the introduction of bursary award has been restored.
    “There will be a special pension scheme to enable the teaching profession retain its experience talent as well as extend teachers retirement age to 65 years and the duration of teachers years to 40 years.
    ” And that is to create a career path policy for the teaching profession in Nigeria and gives speedy teachers to programme and ICT training.
    He added that his administration had also approved the building of low cost housing for teachers in rural areas, the sponsorship of teachers, prompt payment of salary and timely promotion of teachers to eliminate stagnation.
    He said this would motivate and restore the lost glory of teachers and teaching in the country.
    Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Education, Mr Chukuemeka Nwajuiba identified the teaching profession as the greatest profession in the world which must be accorded adequate recognition and respect.
    Nwajuiba noted that the picture of a Nigerian teacher in the 1960s and 1970s which connotes discipline needed to be replicated in today’s profession.
    According to him, having a day to celebrate the teacher is just but a token gesture of recognition to the sacrificial contribution of teachers.
    ” In those days, very comfortable and important figures in the society would send their children to a teacher’s house for grooming. That was the teacher then.
    ” Teacher’s children and those that lived with them became the crème de la crème of the society. The society sadly have tilted towards ephemeral appearances that negates the standard of teachers as role models.
    ” We think this should stop. Teachers deserve recognition and respect. The first step is to have qualified teachers in practice.
    ” That is why the ministry through the Teachers Registration Council is making concerted efforts to withdraw unqualified teachers from the classroom nationwide,” he said.
    The minister however urged individuals, states and local government education authorities and corporate organisations to replicate reward system in order to institutionalise productivity in the education sector.
    Meanwhile, Mr Sonny Echono, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education commended the enduring selfless devotion of all teachers across the federation especially those in crisis thorn and remote areas for their invaluable contribution to the development of education.
    ” I also wish to appreciate UNESCO for its recommendation to all nations to dedicate the 5th of October of every year as the special day to remember the signing of the standard setting instrument on the status of teachers and also extol their virtues.
    ” To the individual, who has enjoyed the privilege of being taught by a teacher, I urge you to always remember to appreciate that special teacher who laid the foundation for the success you have achieved in life.”
  • Sanwo-Olu promises 20 cars to deserving teachers

    Sanwo-Olu promises 20 cars to deserving teachers

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has pledged to give 20 cars to deserving teachers across the six education districts in the state.

    Sanwo-Olu made the promise on Wednesday during the virtual training of the teachers tagged ”Eko Educators Webinar Performance Series 3.3”.

    He said that his administration was committed to rewarding excellent service delivery in Lagos State Post-Primary Teaching Service.

    According to him, teachers are key change agents who will be remembered for shaping future generation of leaders.

    He urged them to embrace technology in improving the quality of teaching to enhance their productivity.

    ”This is the era of technology and it is working well for us. Technology has become a very strong tool that we cannot do away with in our everyday lives. With technology, we can think locally and act globally,” Sanwo-Olu said.

    The governor said that great teachers were always remembered for the lives they shaped, just as they derived satisfaction in seeing their students become role models and future leaders.

    On her part, the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, said that any school system thrived on the quality of teaching and learning which was exhibited through the quality of teachers with a multiplier effect on the students.

    Adefisayo commended Lagos State teachers for indulging in self-development to complement the government organised training.

    Adefisayo also commended the Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM) board for the idea of the virtual training, which was vital to the progress of the education sector in the state.

    She said that as the present administration’s battle against the COVID-19 continued, teachers were expected to put in their best in guiding the children aright, especially those who might had gone through different forms of abuse and trauma during the lockdown period.

    Earlier in her welcome address, the Chairman of TESCOM, Mrs Elizabeth Ariyo, said that the webinar was a conscious effort of the commission to improve teaching styles, optimise the teaching profession and enhance the lives of the children, and ultimately, their future.

    Ariyo said that the webinar was organised for Post-Primary School Teachers in Lagos State as a way of elevating their level of preparedness and pro-activeness in teaching and learning in order to meet the challenges of the ‘new normal’.

    ”The platform intends to address teachers’ wellness and well-being, as well as update them on new trends to improve their teaching skills,” she said.

    Ariyo appreciated the generosity of Gov. Sanwo-Olu for the approval of the Teachers’ Exit Replacement programme with over 1,000 new appointees and the Retrospective Course approval for over 700 Teachers which had lingered since 2013.

    She also commended the governor for the approval of digital training of all Post-Primary Schools Teachers on Microsoft Teams platform; and Capacity Enhancement of Teachers in Lagos State among other initiatives, which had boosted proper integration of TESCOM in the ”new normal”.

    The Permanent Secretary, TESCOM, Mrs Toyin Awoseyi, said that the presence of the governor at the webinar, affirmed his commitment to education.

    Awoseyi urged the participants to put in their best for the development and progress of the sector in the state.

  • Niger uncovers 2,286 primary school teachers with fake certificates

    Niger uncovers 2,286 primary school teachers with fake certificates

    The 2020 Staff Audit Committee constituted by the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB), on Monday said that no fewer than 2,286 primary school teachers were using questionable certificates.
    Alhaji Ayuba Katako, Central Chairman of the Committee, made this known during the presentation of the 2020 Staff Audit report to the board’s management of NSUBEB in Minna.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the board’s management had in June set up a six-man committee to audit both teaching and non-teaching staff members of NSUBEB across the 25 Local Government Areas of the state.
    Katako said that there were 28,058 staff in the primary schools across the state, adding that 26,00 7 of them were screened, out of which 23,721 were cleared and fit to work with SUBEB.
    He noted that 2,286 of these primary school teachers were using questionable certificates as some of them could not read and write.
    “When they heard that screening was going on they just came to clear themselves and they are on the payroll.
    “Some of them went to roadside business centres to print out certificates and we could not ascertain their authenticity,” he said.
    He disclosed that most of these certificates were reading National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna and did not resemble the actual certificates issued by NTI.
    Katako, however, noted that the committee also discovered pending promotion of teachers, and in Zone A, teachers with PhD were the ones teaching in classrooms while those with Masters were the ones in the office.
    Responding, Dr Adamu Isah, the state Chairman of SUBEB, commended the committee for conducting the exercise effectively, and said that the board would follow due diligence of civil service rules to take decision on those found wanting.
    He added that any teacher who could neither write nor read would be disengaged as teachers and engaged in another field.
    “These people will be engaged as cleaners, nannies and some at local government offices in accordance with their capacities,” he said.
    Isah noted that they would get in touch with the institutions issuing those certificates to confirm their authenticity and anyone whose certificate was not authentic would have the appointment terminated.
    He, however, gave assurance that the report of the committee would be implemented.
    Also, Alhaji Kabiru Abbas, Board Member II, commended the committee and said that the report “brings an end to all allegations and insinuations from the public”.

  • Nasarawa sets up committee to sack 1251 teachers

    Nasarawa sets up committee to sack 1251 teachers

    The Nasarawa State Government has inaugurated a committee to disengage about 1251 teachers for not possessing the requisite teaching qualification.

    Executive Chairman, Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB) Mohammed Dan’azimi who inaugurated a seven (7) man implementation committee to disengage the said teachers without a requisite teaching qualification, said the action is in line with the federal ministry of education directives.

    Inaugurating the committee Friday in Lafia, the board executive chairman who was represented by the secretary of the board Hajia Hashiya Ahmed stresses that the committee has been given the mandate to take every necessary step to ensure that, the affected teachers are registered with National Teachers Institute (NTI) and Collage of Education Akwanga to obtain requisite teaching qualification.

    According to a press release signed by the public relations officer of the board, Gana Lawal Ahmed quoted the secretary as explaining further that there are about 1251 teachers without requisite teaching qualification still teaching in our primary schools across the state.

    “I, therefore, charge you to live above board and justify government confidence reposed on you by carrying out your assignments with due diligence devoid of any sentiments or favour,” the chairman said.

    He reiterated that in carrying out the teaching profession in Nasarawa State, there will be no tolerance for quackery, just as no teacher will be allowed to teach in any of our primary schools without a requisite teaching qualification.

    In his remarks, the implementation committee and Director, planning, Research and Statistics, Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board, Mal. Isah Eyah thanked the management of SUBEB for finding them worthy to these onerous tasks and promised to justified the confidence reposed on them.

    It will be would be recalled that the Minister of Education Mallam Adamu Adamu warned unqualified teachers to either acquire a requisite qualification or disengage from the teaching profession on or before December 31, 2019.

    The composition of implementation committee members are, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics SUBEB to served as chairman, Education Secretary Karu member, State NUT chairman member, other committee members include State AOPSHOP secretary member, State NAPTAP secretary member, State NASU Chairman member and SUBEB Zonal Officer, Lafia Secretary.

  • Fayemi orders random COVID-19 test for teachers, students

    Fayemi orders random COVID-19 test for teachers, students

    Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has directed a random sampling test for COVID-19 infection of students and teachers to assess their risk level ahead of resumption.

    The Governor expressed optimism that COVID-19 protocols would be strictly adhered to as SS3 class preparing for West African Examinations Council (WAEC) will resume August 10, while resumption date for JSS 3 students and Primary 6 pupils would be announced later.

    Fayemi, in a state wide broadcast on Wednesday, disclosed that parents of the resuming students are to provide their wards with at least two face masks each as a prerequisite for admittance into their school premises.

    The governor who expressed concern over an increase in the rate of infection in the last one month in the state with 109 fresh cases, advised the people of the state to learn from his COVID-19 infection and accept the reality of the pandemic.

    The Governor recalled that Ekiti State had 43 positive cases with 28 treated and discharged while only 13 were active cases at the beginning of July but the state now has a total number of 152 cases at last count, an increase of 109 cases in one month.

    Fayemi attributed increase in cases to the random community testing exercise which was made possible with facilities at the state-owned laboratory and the proximity to States with high incidences of confirmed infections; noting that lessons have been learnt from his experience with his own infection and isolation for ten days.

    He said: “The fact that I could contract the virus in spite of the conscious effort to protect myself and people around me underscores my consistent warnings that we should never take things for granted. It also proves that indeed the virus is real and here, and that it is a respecter of no persons.

    “That is why I have always maintained that we cannot be vigilant enough until we have collectively come to the end of this pandemic. I therefore implore you, dear compatriots, to take extra measures to ensure that you keep yourself safe.

    “The second lesson to learn from my experience is that the virus is not a death sentence. The key weapons is early detection (through testing), isolation and treatment. From our experience, we have successfully treated and discharged 67 cases in Ekiti today while we still have about 83 active cases.”

    On reopening of worship centres, Fayemi said: “The Task Force leadership have told me that many religious worship centres are now ready and should be able to reopen for service according to the established protocols from August 14, 2020.

    “I want to appeal to religious centres as moral agents and institutions reputed for discipline. They must ensure the jointly agreed protocols are adhered to, to protect lives of worshipers as they go about their activities from August 14, 2020.

    “Key aspects of the protocols include but are not limited to the following: fumigation of the worship centres and their surroundings, maintenance of social distancing of six-feet apart during worship, provision of infrared thermometer, provision of hand sanitizers and ensuring the windows and doors are wide open.

    “The protocols also implicate that there should be no multiple services, and services must be concluded within two hours while children below 12 years of age and elderly people above 65 are not allowed to attend services or Salat until further notice. An attendance register must be provided by each worship centre to record attendance.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, only Friday Jumat for Muslims, Saturday Sabbath for Adventists and Sunday Services for other Christian denominations are allowed. Weekly and vigil services are not to hold in the meanwhile. Similarly all traditional worships of festivals that demand large gathering of devotees are suspended until further notice.”

  • JUST IN: Ogun Govt directs all secondary school teachers to resume Aug. 3

    JUST IN: Ogun Govt directs all secondary school teachers to resume Aug. 3

    Ogun government has directed all secondary school teachers in the state to resume on Monday, Aug. 3 ahead of the West African Senior Secondary Schools Examination (WASSCE) scheduled for Aug. 17.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Primary and Secondary Education, Mrs Ronke Soyombo, gave this directive in Abeokuta on Friday.

    Soyombo quoted Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun as saying that the aim was to enable the teachers work with their principals in preparation for students’ resumption on Aug. 4.

    Abiodun said the directive was for teachers in public and private schools to enable them assist in the distribution of materials provided by the state government for the examinations.

    He said all guidelines stipulated by the government for the students’ resumption were to be followed strictly by all school administrators.

    He enjoined all stakeholders to cooperate with the state government to ensure safe return to schools.

    “The Ogun state government wishes to inform the general public that all Senior Secondary School Three students both in the public and private schools will resume to school on August 4 in readiness for an intensive revision classes ahead of their WASSCE.

    “The revision exercise is being put in place to cover the academic gaps and lapses for students that could not follow the virtual classes tagged Ogundigiclass put in place by the state government while they were at home.

    “The concerned students are to resume to their individual schools on Tuesday, August 4,” he said.

  • Health workers question FG’s plan to pay salaries of private schools teachers

    Health workers question FG’s plan to pay salaries of private schools teachers

    The Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria (MHWUN) has questioned the plan by the federal government to pay salaries of private schools teachers affected by the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

    The National President of the MHWUN, Comrade Josiah Biobelemoye in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory questioned the rationale to pay salaries of private schools teachers when visited by the Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Health Services, Hon. Tanko Sununu.

    “We are doing so much and our people are showing so much understanding within this period because its COVID time but you can’t expect people to be patient all through forever.

    “Government said there is no money but they are planning to pay private school teachers who are not even under the employment of the government.

    “We that are in the forefront contending with the salvage how will you then explain to us government does not have the money to pay our deferred salaries of April and May 2018, and the withheld salaries in FMC Owerri, JUTH, LUTH and others. How will you convince us?

    “We are not against the government trying to help out private schools, but if you are helping the private schools why can’t you help us. Is it justifiable to keep the salaries of those who are in the war front?

    “We are appealing to the executive; quickly address these matters because they are ticking time bombs and they should not allow them to be detonated before they come to the rescue because any detonated bomb does not have positive results, its always negative,” the MHWUN president said.

    While making a case for increased funding of the health sector and budgetary provision to fund the salary adjustments, Biobelemoye commended the efforts and concern of the NASS in the welfare of healthcare workers.

    Meanwhile, the Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Health Services, Sununu said families of healthcare workers who died at the frontline of the COVID-19 will receive financial benefits.

    The lawmaker said the National Assembly (NASS) was still in the process of reviewing the manner of compensation that should be made available to the affected families.

    “We are not unmindful of our health workers in the frontline who paid the ultimate price. This is why we are working out a plan to compensate their families. A committee has been set up.

    “We will call for a public hearing where the strategy and method to be used in disbursing the compensations will be agreed on. The families of the deceased will be located and we must ensure the money reaches them.

    “Our aim is to ensure there is no disharmony anymore in the health sector. We are reaching out to major stakeholders and negotiating their demands to ensure health workers continue with their work with no hitches or grievances,” the lawmaker said.

  • Shame on teachers who flogged pupils for speaking local languages – Edochie

    Shame on teachers who flogged pupils for speaking local languages – Edochie

    Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie has lashed out at teachers who flogged pupils for speaking their local languages in schools.

    He said back then, some teachers flogged them for speaking their own language in school.

    He wrote on his twitter page: “To think that some of our teachers flogged us back then in school for speaking our language.

    “Calling it vernacular. Can you imagine? You speak your own language you get flogged.

    “All those teachers should be ashamed of themselves. Oyibo people really messed up our brains.”

    Edochie added that teaching a child English, French, German and other languages was good since no knowledge was wasted.

    He said flogging a child for speaking his or her own language was totally unacceptable, urging teachers to teach the pupils to appreciate their own language.

    “Teach a child English, French, German, etc, that’s very good. No knowledge is ever a waste.

    “But flogging a child for speaking his or her own language is totally unacceptable. Teach them to appreciate their own.

    “Don’t treat them like wild animals for speaking their language,” he added.

  • Facebook, Edo partner on online training for over 2,000 teachers, schools

    Facebook on Tuesday said it had partnered with the Edo Government to provide more access to online training for over 2,000 teachers and schools through its communication platform called ‘Workplace for Good’.

    Adaora Ikenze, Facebook’s Head of Public Policy for Anglophone West Africa, who made this known in a statement, said the company partnered with Edo as part of its ongoing commitment to building community and improving connectivity.

    She said that Workplace was Facebook’s communication platform, which transformed teams and organisations into connected, empowered and purposeful communities.

    Ikenze said the platform used familiar features like Live video calling, chat, feeds and Safety check to connect everyone and turn ideas into action.

    “In order to build on its Infrastructure and Connectivity projects for schools within the area, Facebook has also partnered with MainOne and Tizeti to provide fast, affordable, and reliable Internet through Facebook’s Express Wi-Fi programme.

    “The programme which started early 2019, now provides free connectivity for teachers in four schools within Edo,’’ she said.

    She noted that to further support the tech ecosystem, Facebook also invested in a meeting space in the South-South Innovation Hub for teacher training and local developer meet ups.

    Ikenze said the company was delighted to be pioneering such projects in Nigeria and across Africa.

    She noted that the partnership with Edo Government was a perfect example of how technology could positively impact education not only for students but teachers alike.

    “According to the Edo Basic Education Transformation Sector (Edo-BEST), one in five teachers do not receive relevant training to improve learning outcomes in their classrooms and that is why partnerships like this are critical in impacting positive change in classrooms,” she said.

    Adam Seldow, Director of Education Partnerships, at Facebook added that they were impressed to see that a number of partners had come together to help drive impact in the Edo programme including the Edo Government.

    “We are impressed to see our education partners re:Learn, and our infrastructure and connectivity partners MainOne and Tizeti coming together to impact in the Edo State programme.

    “We look forward to continuing our work in adding value to education in Edo State, with an additional 8,000 primary school teachers who will be added to this programme throughout 2020, but also further afield across Nigeria and Africa.”

    “Due to its current success, the Edo State Government has committed additional budget to connect 100 new schools in the State by leveraging on the fiber investments and Express Wi-Fi, ensuring that over 15,000 students and teachers will have continued internet access,” Seldow said

    Dr Joan Oviawe, Chairperson of the Edo State Universal Basic Education Board said the support from Facebook would assist the state government in preparing pupils to compete with their contemporaries not only in Nigeria, but across Africa.

    “We have to prepare the Edo child for a competitive world; a world without boundaries where they can build valuable skills for the future, using technology,’’ Oviawe said.

    The Chief Executive Officer of MainOne, Mrs Funke Opeke, said her company was committed to bridging the digital divide across Nigeria through continued investment in infrastructure that contributed to the growth of local economies.

    She commended the Edo Government for its commitment to empowering the next generation of digitally-enabled youths and teachers to transform education in the state.

  • Anxiety in Edo community as assassins abduct teachers

    Anxiety in Edo community as assassins abduct teachers

    Gunmen on Tuesday kidnapped two teachers at Obi Primary School in Avbiosi community in the Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

    The hoodlums abducted the teachers – a male and female – while they were teaching their pupils who had just resumed for the second term.

    It was learnt that development, which came barely two days after suspected Fulani herdsmen killed an 11-year-old boy in Sobe, had sparked dread in the Avbiosi community. Sobe is also in the Owan West LGA.

    An eyewitness said the gunmen stormed the school around 10.30am, ordering six teachers including those abducted at gunpoint to go with them.

    They were said to have shot indiscriminately while the operation lasted.

    However, four of the teachers reportedly escaped while being taken them away by the gunmen.

    It was learnt that police, supported by hunters and vigilantes, rescued the male teacher at night.

    Chairman of the council, Frank Ilaboya, promised that the female teacher identified as Mrs Esther Alabi would soon be rescued from her abductors.

    Ilaboya, who spoke through his Chief Press Secretary, Hassan Otinau, said, “We won’t relent until Mrs Alabi is rescued unhurt. There is hope that she will be out in no time.

    “I want to commend the security agencies, the youths and other concerned members of the public who joined the search party.”

    The veteran sports journalist said the kidnappers spoke with Alabi’s family, but did not disclose if the hoodlums had demanded any ransom.

    Ilaboya said, “I personally spoke with her and urged her to be in good spirits that help was near.”