To Mark the World Teachers’ Day,
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday approved a special salary scale for Nigerian teachers as well as increased years of service from 35 to 40.
Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, announced the changes in teachers’ salary scale and retirement age in Abuja at an event to mark the celebration tagged ‘Teachers: Leading in Crisis, Reimagining the Future,” which reflects the resilience of teachers and school administrators globally amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Buhari instructed the ministry to facilitate the implementation of the new salary scheme, saying it would encourage teachers to deliver better service.
According to him, teachers have the power to shape and reshape the lives of young people and enhance their potential.
“Only great teachers can produce excellent people and students that will make the future of our country great. A positive or negative influence of a teacher on any child will have an effect on that child. Therefore, the Federal Government is ensuring quality education.”
He said his administration had resolved to ensure quality education of teachers by giving priority to continued professional development.
He emphasized that the future of the country would depend on quality education for children and that the quality of teachers would depend on motivation.
“There will be a special pension scheme to enable the teaching profession to retain its experienced talents as well as extend teachers retirement age to 65 years and the duration of teaching years to 40 years.”
He added that his administration had also approved the building of low-cost housing for teachers in rural areas, sponsorship of teachers, prompt payment of salary, and timely promotion to eliminate stagnation, to motivate and restore lost glory to teachers and teaching in the country.
It will be recalled that, for years, teachers have agitated for an increase in their retirement age, welfare, and salaries.
