FGC Sokoto staff school PTA demands N100,000 minimum wage for teachers
From Bashir Rabe Mani in Sokoto
The Parent Teachers Association (PTA) of Federal Government College Staff School, Sokoto, has called for an upward review of teachers’ salaries and increase in other welfare packages.
The resolution was reached on Saturday during the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), which proposed a minimum monthly salary of N100,000 and N30,000 as lesson allowance.
In his address, the PTA Chairman, Mr Jamilu Sidi, said on Saturday that the increment would enhance teachers’ performance, improve their welfare and sustain quality education.
Sidi said that parents were concerned that poor remuneration could undermine teachers’ productivity and negatively affect students’ academic performance.
On increase in school fees, the meeting urged the school management to always consult parents before doing so, insisting that transparency and stakeholder engagement should guide such decisions.
The Chairman added that most of the issues raised during the last congress have been addressed by his administration.
Sidi said that his administration has introduced an e-payment system for all PTA transactions in order to ensure transparency and accountability.
“We also organised a high-impact capacity building workshop to shapen teaching standards, and provided practical tools including raincoats and umbrellas for teachers on duty during rainy season.
“We also introduced annual awards of excellence for the top three performing pupils in National Common Entrance Examination,” he added.
He, however, noted that, despite their engagement with the school management, issues of poor renumeration of teachers, limited transparency in school’s financial management and unjustifiable increase of school fees are yet to be addressed.
“Upon assuming duty, our administration has met with the school management regarding staff welfare and renumeration, unfortunately their salary was only increased from N55,000 to N60,000.
“Looking at the current economic realities, this is not quite enough for intellectuals,” he lamented.
One of the parents, Loveth Bello, said the management has to also upgrade school environment, repair damaged roads and make the environment more conducive for learning.
She also called on the management to work with the PTA so that they can collaborate and move the school forward for the betterment of the upcoming generation.
Another parent, Sani Abdullahi-Wamakko said it is unfair if a teacher can spend morethan 20 years in the school and still receives N60,000 per month.
He said that the school has enough money to increase the salary of the staff looking at the school fees charged and the student enrolment figure.
Sani charged the PTA executive committee to make sure that they sit and discuss with the management and ensure the implementation of the N100,000 minimum salary proposal.
Responding, the Headteacher of the school, Mr Chiwuzor Victor, commended the parents for their unwavering support to the progress of the school.
Victor said that they are working tirelessly to make the environment better for learning, noting that the school has no shortage of water now following the provision of solar-powered borehole.
He, however, appealed to the PTA to provide solar power system for the nursery section to ensure stable lighting and a conducive learning environment for the pupils.
Responding to the resolutions, the representative of Principal, FGC Sokoto who is the Board’s Chairman, Mr Sulaiman Ibrahim, said he has noted all the proposals and resolutions by the congress and will present it to the management for proper action to be taken.
