Every education system needs the right quantity and quality of teachers to achieve its set goals. – Prof. Tahir Mammam
By Princess-Ekwi Ajide, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria has said it will meet with renowned security experts to map out modalities to safeguard schools across the nation.
The Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mammam, who stated this at a press briefing heralding the 2023 World Teachers Day celebration in Abuja.
He listed some activities to commemorate the day to include symposium and presentation of Awards of Excellence to outstanding teachers who have made exceptional contributions to the field of education.
The 2023 World Teachers Day with the theme “The teachers we need for the Education we want: The global imperative to reverse teacher shortage” will culminate with the grand finale on October 5 at the Eagle Square with education stakeholders and dignitaries expected to be in attendance.
Addressing the press, the Minister said the celebration provides a fora which brings to the fore one of the main challenges confronting the education system as every society needs quality education for sustainable development, and every education system needs the right quantity and quality of teachers to achieve its set goals.
Professor Mamman, said the theme for this year’s celebration draws attention to the strategic role teachers play in achieving quality education for all and the dire need to rejuvenate the profession for sustainability.
He regretted that in developed climes, teachers are respected and given priority treatment unlike in undeveloped climes where reverse is the case and called for collective reflection on the strategic role teachers play to ensure that quality education is accessible to all thereby paving way for a brighter and more equitable future In Nigeria.
The National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Comrade Audu Amba, urged the Tinubu led administration to activate the teacher policy reforms of the past administration by ensuring the implementation of the teacher incentives approved by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2020, which include extension of teachers retirement age to 65 years and teaching service years to 40, payment of special salary scale for teachers, sponsorship of teachers to annual refresher trainings, among others, in order to attract the “best brains” into the teaching profession.
He described Teachers as key pillars in the education sector, who are committed to the ideals of the teaching profession and will continue to contribute their quota to the building of a great nation and urged the Ministers and their team to work closely with key stakeholders to ensure the enthronement of a functional quality education system that will yield desired results for the future well-being of the learners and for the growth and development of the country.
