COVID-19: Private school teachers seek support

By Stanley Onyekwere

Some teachers under the ageis of the National Association of Private School Teachers (NAPST), an umbrella body of private school teachers has appealed for urgent support from the government to ameliorate their suffering, in the wake of the Coronavirus otherwise known as COVID-19 pandemic.
Briefing newsmen recently in Abuja, the National President of NAPST, Akhigbe Olumhense stated that it was imperative to ask for urgent support as private school teachers have not received any salary or support since the closure of schools due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Olumhense said: “Ever since that closure, our members across Nigeria have not been paid their monthly salaries, because the schools are closed.
“NAPST at the national and state levels have been engaging the federal and state governments on how to assist the private school teachers across the country with monthly stipends.
“We are also urging government to help by quickly putting in place safety protocols for speedy resumption of schools.”
Olumhense, however commended the government for responding to earlier request for support by asking for the account details of members since July.
He explained that they are yet to receive any form of support since then, even as he stressed that the impact of teachers in the future of the country cannot be overemphasized.
He also urged government to act quickly as many of their members around the country have endured hardship for the past months, even as he called for a review of survival fund approved by government.
He equally noted that the N2.3 trillion stimulus package of the Nigerian Economic Sustainability Plan could work for many in the private sector, but would require a review to get the needed impact for private school teachers.