By Yemi Akinsuyi
Teachers in Oyo State have commended the state government for prompt payment of their salaries, recruitment of new teachers, career progression of teachers, promotion of primary school teachers to salary grade level 16 and the appointment of a teacher as the Executive chairperson of the Oyo State Post-primary Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM).
Speaking at this year’s World Teachers Day celebration in Ibadan, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State wing, Comrade Raji Oladimeji Ismail, said Governor Makinde’s magnanimity culminated into the array of achievements recorded by his administration at NUT.
He applauded the evacuation of the six year promotion waiting period for primary school teachers, adding that this administrative clog was evacuated by the union’s advocacy.
The Chairman noted that the Oyo state government has also created 10 TESCOM zonal offices, and subsequent appointment of teachers as Permanent Secretaries/Tutor Generals into the newly created TESCOM Zonal offices.
Comrade Raji said his administration as the union’s chairman has strengthened members’ welfare schemes, noting that the Oyo State government has reviewed upwardly car and housing loans for teachers.
He however noted that teachers in the state still face challenges of “inadequate funding of education, infrastructural deficits, and the need for continuous capacity development of teachers.”
Oladimeji said: “On a very special note, I wish to present a few requests of teachers for prompt attention of the Oyo State government: the need to expedite action on approving the long standing request of inter-zonal transfer.”
According to him, the state government needs to hasten the release of running grants to school heads to enhance the smooth running of schools.
In his address, the Executive Chairman of the Oyo state Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran said that approval for 2023/2024 promotion letters has been received from the Civil Service Commission for primary school teachers.
He therefore said very soon the promotion letters will be released to teachers, as the letters are being signed by the Personnel department of the Board.
Dr. Adeniran also said the pending issue of inter-zonal transfer of 2005 teachers back to LGUBEAs of their choice has been approved by the Governor, while the board is making efforts to compile the list.
He disclosed: “The Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, under my supervision has been working with NUT, Association of Primary School Teachers Headteachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON) and other stakeholders to ensure teachers welfare are secured.”
The OYOSUBEB Chairman, revealed that the Board has received an approval of the Executive governor to ensure the integration of the remaining teachers on secondment into the TESCOM employment grid.
Adeniran however called on NUT to enlighten teachers, especially the newly recruited, on the public service rules, urging them not to take administrative matters to the public space.
“If you have grievances or enquiries, there are channels through which you can lay your complaints, not through the social media”, Adeniran said.
The National President, NUT, Comrade Audi Titus Amba applauded Governor Seyi Makinde’s efforts in the Oyo State teaching sector.
Represented by Comrade Shaibu Olayinka Yisa, the President equally appreciated the NUT Chairman, Com. Raji; Chairman, OYOSUBEB, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran and other stakeholders in the education sector.
The President said this year’s theme, “Recasting Teaching As a Collaborative Profession” aims at building a resilient system in the teaching profession.
The event which was chaired by the Osi Olubadan-designate, HRM Oba Abiodun Kola Daisi also had in attendance NLC Chairman, Comrade Kayode Martins; Secretary, Nigeria Union Pensioners, Com. Segun Abatan among others.
