NUT expresses fear over implementation of new policy, demands legal backing
By Modupe Shodeinde
The Nigerian Union of Teachers, has expressed concern and demanded legal backing over the implementation of new salary scale and increase of service years.
The federal Government on Wednesday approved a special salary scale for basic and secondary school teachers in Nigeria.
The teacher’s retirement age also increased from 60 to 65, and the service years from 35 to 40.
According to the government, this is aimed at revitalising the teaching profession through the introduction of fundamental and far reaching changes.
This was announced on Wednesday during the celebration of the World Teacher’s day in Abuja.
However, the Secretary-General of the NUT, Dr. Mike Ike-Ene, has expressed his concerns over unseen technicalities that would delay the implementation.
He said, “I don’t know the minds of other people, because this thing needs to be backed by law. If this is not backed by law, it is like someone carrying approval that has no cash point. I have not seen any Act on it now; the next thing is for us to pursue the implementation, so that it will not just be a mere approval. We need to pursue it and back it up with an Act.
“The Ministry of Education, Ministry of Justice, NUT and other relevant stakeholders must work together and ensure that all of today’s promises become a reality.
“You will now discover that from now till another World Teacher’s Day nothing may happen because of technicalities, they will be saying this one needs law and all manners of excuse.”
At the event, celebrating the World Teacher’s Day, the President, who was represented by the Minister of Education Mallam Adamu Adamu, said that the new development is aimed at ensuring national development through the enhancement of quality teaching and learning at all levels of the educational system.
