B.Ed graduates to get automatic employment after graduation, low cost houses for teachers

President Buhari yesterday, introduced several juicy policies in the education sector, both for teachers and students. He approved the following incentives to motivate and restore the lost glory of teachers.

“These include building of low cost houses for teachers in rural areas, sponsorship of teachers to at least one refresher training per annum, expansion of annual Presidential teachers and schools awards to cover more categories, with outstanding winners to be considered for National Awards and National Productivity Order of Merit, NPOM, awards.

“Others are prompt payment of salaries and other entitlements, including consideration for first line charge in annual budgets, timely promotion of teachers to eliminate stagnation, provision of loan facilities, free tuition and automatic admission for biological children of teachers in their respective schools to encourage and retain them in the system.

“The Minister of Education is hereby directed to ensure an accelerated implementation of these policies and measures in collaboration/liaison with states/local governments, the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and other relevant agencies in the system to enthrone a culture of competence, discipline, dedication, increased learning outcomes and better service delivery in the education sector in Nigeria.”

At present, NCE holders earn between N54,000 and N60,000, while a university degree holder earns between N54,000 and N70,000.

Also, the starting point for those in the service will be Grade Level 10, instead of an NCE holder joining on Grade Level 7 and a degree holder joining on Grade Level 8. However, the benefit is not for all comers, as only those who have been certified and registered by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria, TRCN, can be part of the new salary scale.

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Speaking on the development, the National Treasurer of the NUT, Mr Segun Raheem, said the two policy statements on Teachers Salary Scale and retirement age for teachers by the President came following nearly two decades of agitation by his union and other lovers of teachers and education in the country.

“The agitation started over 15 years ago. The issue of retirement age for teachers ought to have been implemented when the new retirement age was approved for judges and university professors.

“What the President probably worked on was a private member bill that the last National Assembly passed, but which the former Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari, could not present to the President for assent until he died.  Teachers are deserting the classrooms and the new policies would serve as incentives to them.

“Teaching is a profession and it has passed through a lot in the country. Moreover, Act 31 of 1993 which set up the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria has also confirmed that. professionals are classified as special service providers and are paid as such.