WTD: NUT decries non payment of gratuities, shortage of teachers, insecurity

By Maryam Abeeb

As Nigeria joined the rest of the world in celebrating the World Teachers Day, WTD , the Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT has lamented non -payment of pensions and gratuities of retired teachers, shortage of teachers and spate of insecurity afflicting the nation’s schools.
The National President of NUT, Comarade Audu Amba, during his address at the event in Abuja, has urged the federal government to call on the state and local governments to live up to their responsibilities and obligations in the payment of Pensions and Gratuities of retired teachers.
According to him, there are some retired teachers, whose monthly pension is lower than the National Minimum Wage.
He pleaded that government through the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC) to issue a circular for wage increases to reflect in the pensions of retired teachers and other workers.
Speaking on shortage of teachers, he noted that report has shown an alarming rate of retirement of teachers without corresponding recruitment to fill i gaps.
He also lamented low enrollment into education courses in tertiary institutions as they are considered as last options by admission seekers .
“In Nigeria, the issue of teacher shortage has become worrisome, especially at the basic and senior secondary education sub-sectors. Reports from practitioners indicate an alarming rate of retirement of teachers without a corresponding recruitment to fill the gaps. Studies have shown low enrolment into education courses in tertiary institutions as they are considered as last options by admission seekers.
“Some trained teachers also accept the job of teaching as a stepping stone and leave for greener pastures, once the opportunities come their way. According to UNICEF, a total of 175,000 qualified teachers are needed to fill the capacity gaps in addressing the challenge of inadequate qualified teachers in our nation’s schools,” he stated.