News

OGHA Addresses Transfer of Teachers

By Web News 348

By Omolara Adasofunjo

The Ogun State House of Assembly has intervened in the recent transfer of teachers across the state, following concerns raised by the state chapter of the Academic staff union of secondary schools,Asuss.

The Speaker of the House, Mr Oludaisi Elemide, made the appeal during a stakeholders’ meeting involving lawmakers, the Teaching Service Commission and the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools at the Assembly Complex, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.

Mr Elemide who urged the Teaching Service Commission to address issues raised by the state chapter of the union, advised the commission to adopt a humane approach in the exercise.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, Comrade Felix Agbesanwa, represented by the State Chairman of the Trade Union Congress and immediate past ASUSS Chairman, Comrade Akeem Lasisi, alongside the Welfare Secretary, Mr Femi Ayannuga, and the State Secretary, Mr Oluseyi Bankole, said the union was not opposed to redeployment.

They, however, called for a review of the exercise, citing concerns over its timing, possible effects on external examinations such as the West African Senior School Certificate Examination, accommodation and transportation challenges, teachers’ morale and professional stability.

The union appealed to the Teaching Service Commission to review the transfers in the interest of teachers’ welfare and effective teaching and learning in public secondary schools across the state.

In a response, Commissioner, Teaching Service Commission, Mr Adeola Akintonde, commended the Speaker and the House for the intervention.

He said the commission had anticipated the concerns and had already constituted an appeal panel to address genuine cases raised by the union.

Edited by Taiwo Akinola

News

Lawmaker Empowers Teachers, Students in Osun

By Web News 463

By Funmi Ojo

One thousand, five hundred students in tertiary institutions in Osun state have  received bursary award under the initiative of a member, representing Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo Federal Constituency, Mr Bamidele Salam. 

Similarly, over  three thousand secondary school students were  provided with educational materials including text books and school bags.

Student bodies and the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, equally received grants facilitated by the lawmaker.

Presenting the grants and bursary awards at the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Orientation Camp, Ede, the state governor,  Ademola Adeleke thanked the lawmaker for investing in the educational advancement of young people and teachers across Osun State. 

He described the gesture as a direct investment in the future of the state, 

The governor however noted that government alone could not shoulder the burden, calling for more partnership to deepen impact.

Governor Adeleke urged the students to make best use of the opportunity, remain focused, and honour the sacrifices of their parents and teachers by striving for excellence. “Together, as governments, legislators, teachers, parents, and communities, we can raise a generation that will lead Osun State and Nigeria to greater heights,” Adeleke affirmed.

In a remark, Mr. Bamidele Salam explained that the gesture was part of his commitment to education from the 2025 budget allocation.

He explained that the initiative was designed to reduce the burden on students and parents.

Beneficiaries of the bursary awards and school materials expressed gratitude to the Lawmaker, adding that the relief will lessen the pressure they face as students and help them to stay focus on their academics.

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Education

Oyo Govt. Approves Recruitment of 7000 Teachers, Care Givers

By Web News 564

By Iyabo Adebisi

Oyo State Government has approved the recruitment of 7000 teachers and 100 care givers in special schools into the primary school teaching service in the state. 

The Chairman State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr Nureni Adeniran disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the SUBEB’s headquarters, Agodi, Ibadan. 

Dr Adeniran said the recruitment is in fulfillment of Governor Makinde’s electoral promise and response to the yearnings of the people and to cater for inadequate primary school teachers in the state. 

The SUBEB boss while assuring that the exercise would be merit based warned the unsuspecting applicants to be wary of scammers saying government would not engage anyone to serve as agents in the rerecruitment process. 

Dr Adeniran noted that the people would carried along in all the stages of the exercise however emphasized that the  recruitment would be localised thereby urging the applicants to claim their respective council areas as they would required to work in their local governments.

He equally added that special consideration would be given to people with disabilities in the employment of the new teachers. 

Said he”In fulfilment of his electoral promise and the yearnings of the people of Oyo State, occasioned by the gap of Teachers in our public primary schools, Governor Seyi Makinde has approved the recruitment of 7,000 teachers in our public primary schools. In addition, he also approved the recruitment of 100 care givers in our special schools”, he said.

“The stages to follow to have a free, fair, credible exercise will emanate from this Board, signed by me”, Adeniran said.

“No Staff member has been empowered to collect money from applicants”, he reiterated.

“We thank His Excellency for living up to his words. He fulfilled his promise and may God give him divine wisdom to navigate the affairs of the State.”

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Education

FACT-CHECK: Sahara Reporters’ Claim about Osun State Teachers’ Recruitment Test is Partly True

By Web News 1486

By Olufisoye Adenitan

Claim: An online news platform, Sahara Reporters, claimed that the Osun state government has failed to conduct teacher recruitment tests despite charging the applicants two thousand naira each.

Verdict: Partly True. Available findings showed that Osun State University’s server was hacked, so the test was not conducted in two centres, Ikire and Osogbo. However, it was still conducted in 11 out of 13 centres.

Full Text

The Governor Ademola Adeleke-led Administration rolled out a recruitment application for teachers in Osun state scheduled for March 27 and 28, 2024.

However, on March 27, 2024, an online newspaper, SaharaReporters, published a news story that the Osun state government failed to hold a teacher recruitment exam, leaving many stranded after collecting millions of naira.

The story headline reads, “BREAKING: After Raking In Millions Of Naira From Applicants, Osun Government Fails To Hold Teachers’ Recruitment Exams, Leaves Many Stranded”.

Some of the applicants at the Ilesa and Ede CB centres said that batches one to four slated for 8 ‘o’ clock in the morning to to 11 ‘o’ clock, could not write the exams and waited till 3 ‘o’ clock in the afternoon, stranded and hungry without any explanation from the state officials.

The same situation was reported at Osogbo, Ikire, and Ile Ife centres,” part of SaharaReporters’ story reads.

According to SaharaReporters, at about 3 ‘o’ clock in the afternoon, they learnt that the officials began to lock the CBT centres after no exams were held.

DUBAWA, however, conducted this verification to set the record straight.

Verification: We discovered that Osun State University was the examination’s consulting partner and that the test was scheduled to be held in 13 centres across the state.

Although the applicants paid N2,000 naira each for the exam, many sat for it. The exam was conducted in 11 centres out of the 13.

The centres are Ede, Ile-Ife, Ibokun, Iwo, Ilesa, Erin Osun, Redeemer University CBT Center, Adeleke University CBT Center, and Special Needs Primary School, Osogbo.

The remaining two centres where the test did not occur are Ikire and Osogbo. Some applicants from different centres where the exam was held shared their experience with DUBAWA. “My centre was Adeleke University, Ede. It was on Thursday, March 28. My CBT was supposed to be at 8:45 a.m. (Batch 2) that day. I was able to enter for the test around 12pm” Yomi Aregbesola said.

Another applicant, Adegbite Isiaka Adewale, said he took his test on March 28th, and it was okay, “I did my own on the second day of the exam Batch A, Scream 2, TESCOM at Osun State University CBT centre. The first day was not very okay, but the second day was a better experience. I was supposed to write at around 8 a.m., but I entered the exam hall at around 11 a.m. There were server issues the first day, Wednesday, but Thursday was very okay,” Adegbite Isiaka said.

Also, Eunice Okanlawon, who sat for her exam in Ile-Ife, stated that the day was okay and there were no hitches for her and other applicants.“I got to my CBT centre as early as 8 a.m., had my exam done, and left around noon,” Okanlawon Eunice said.

“I wrote the exam in Ikire CBT centre. It was okay, and I left the venue on time,” Sadiq Jimoh said.

The University’s spokesperson, Ademola Adesoji, explained the situation in a statement shared with DUBAWA as due to a technical error.“Unexpectedly, our server was attacked at midnight today. We responded technically and frustrated attempts to hack into the core software and questions bank. The damage done to the server took time to be resolved. This is the reason that the start of exams was unduly delayed and had to be rescheduled for two centres out of thirteen centres.“Our joy is that the hackers or opposers of this recruitment process have failed in their attempts to frustrate us. It has been a tough battle in the last eight or so in our effort to ensure the success of the Osun state government,” the statement reads partly.”

Also, the University that was consulted on the test confirmed that the test was conducted in 11 out of 13 centres.

Conclusion: DUBAWA findings show that the claim by Sahara Reporters stating that the Osun state recruitment test for teachers did not hold and that applicants were stranded is partly true.

The teacher’s recruitment test took place in 11 centres out of 13 centres in the state.

The researcher produced this fact-check for the DUBAWA 2024 Kwame KariKari Fellowship, in partnership with Olufisoye Adenitan, FRCN positive FM Akure Ondo State, Nigeria, to facilitate the ethos of “truth” in journalism and enhance media literacy in the country.

Crime

Ekiti kidnap : Rescued Victims Discharged from Hospital

By Web News 883

The eight rescued kidnap victims who have been receiving medical attention at Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, were on Sunday discharged after a week in the facility.

The victims including five school children and three staff of The Apostolic Faith Group of Schools, Emure Ekiti, who were kidnapped along the Emure-Eporo Road, on their way home from school, spent six days in the kidnappers’ den before they were released last Sunday.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Oyebanji Filani, said it was a moment of joy, having the people rescued from the kidnappers and treated by government.

Filani, who spoke at EKSUTH while discharging them, said, “As a government having had them including the children released and having had them properly treated by various teams from management here in the teaching hospital, we would be returning them to their community.”

The Chief Medical Director, EKSUTH , Prof. Kayode Olabanji, had assured the government while the eight persons were brought in last Sunday, that they would be given necessary medical attention before they would be discharged.

Olabanji had said, “They were in various conditions when they were brought in, some of them were so dehydrated, we don’t know when last they had taken water or even food. Many of the pupils were in a panic state, you could see that they were very terrified. However, immediately we brought them in, they had been attended to by the doctors, nurses and the various specialties“.

“We brought in clinical psychologists who could work on them to allay their fears. They were given the initial resuscitation including re hydration, they were given fluids, some who needed oxygen were given oxygen”.

“After they had been stabilized a bit, they were even given food too, now, they are much better, we will still carry out few investigations to fully appraise their situation.”

The grandmother of three of the school children, Mrs Dorcas Ojo, said it would not have been possible for her to remain alive if the kidnappers had not released her three grandchildren.

The woman, who said the eight abducted persons were saved by God  through the prayers of the people of Emure Ekiti and Eporo Ekiti, said, “The abductors made the children undergo what their parents had never experienced.

“They (children) were traumatized by the kidnappers as they were forced to trek long distance in the bush, not staying in one location and also not given food to eat for the days they were in captivity.”

Punch/Adebukola Aluko

Education

Osun Executive Council Approves Recruitment of Teachers

By Web News 578

By Funmi Ojo

The Osun State Executive Council has approved the immediate recruitment of five thousand teachers and two hundred and fifty education officers to fill vacancies in the state teaching service.

The Council also approved a contract for the rehabilitation of Ora Igbomina water works at over 1.3 billion naira.

The Council noted that the approval for the recruitment of teachers follows the conclusion of the need assessment which the Governor ordered last year.

The Council directed that the Ministry of Education should fast-track the process of recruitment to strengthen the education system.

On the Ora Igbomina water works, the Council directed that the mobilization of the contractor should be handled immediately given the worsening exchange rate.

Governor Adeleke had earlier charged members of the council to be innovative and think out of the box to deliver on their ministerial mandate.

“To achieve a lot, let us think out of the box. Let us be innovative. We should not be giving excuses. We have a job to do and we must deliver, no matter the condition”, the Governor charged the cabinet members.

Also, the Executive approved the appointment of Prince Peter Oluwole Akinyooye as the new Olufon of Ifon in the Orolu local Government area of Osun State.

In the same vein, also at the meeting, approval was given to the appointment of Prince Najeem Abefe as Onisara of Inisa 1 in Ejigbo South Local Council Development Area.

Meanwhile, in line with the Chieftaincy Declaration in consonance with the Chiefs law, Cap 25, laws of Osun State 2022, appointments of Chieftaincy Declaration Oluwata of Iwata as well the  Authority, to henceforth be a beaded crown Oba has been granted by the Osun State Executive Council to the Oluwata of Iwata in Ejigbo South Local Council Development Area.

While congratulating all the newly approved Obas, the Osun State government wishes them the best in their present and future endeavours as custodians of customs and traditions in their respective domains.

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Education

Govt. Plans to Recruit About 2,000 Teachers in Ogun

By Web News 1082

By Toyin Adegoke

Plans are underway by the Ogun state government to employ about 2,000 teachers to boost the learners-teacher ratio across schools with special emphasis on rural areas. 

The state Commissioner for Education, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu made this known while receiving a member of the House of Representatives representing Yewa North/Imeko Afon Federal Constituency, Prince Gboyega Isiaka who visited him, in commemoration of International Day of Education.

“This Ogun teachers’ employment for 2, 000 teachers,we specifically put it on advert,tha this employment is for rural areas,if you don’t want to go to rural areas, don’t bother to apply”

Professor Arigbabu said the government would not relent in providing a conducive environment for all-round learning in schools across the state. 

Earlier, the member of the Federal lawmaker, Prince Gboyega Isiaka had identified an inadequate number of teachers in many schools in his constituency as a major factor affecting students’ performance. 

Prince Isiaka appealed to the state government to recruit and post more teachers to the areas needed to improve the situation and reduce the workload on the available teachers.

He restated his readiness to complement the efforts of Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration towards enhancing the state’s growth. 

“The basic demand was that first, we thank the Governor for the good things he had done in the area of education, we have a peculiar problem due to our location, and we demanded that it should be looked into differently, particularly in the area of teachers”

Prince Isiaka who explained that the visit was aimed at deliberating on the state of education in the Constituency with a view to proffering solutions to the identified challenges was accompanied by notable leaders in the area, including the Commissioner for Sports Development, Mr Wasiu Isiaka, Mr Razaq Oduntan, Mr Olusola Oke, Mr Job Akintan, Mr. Caleb Adegbite, and Mr. Tunde Aninkan.

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Education

Lawmaker Calls for Implementation of Teachers Retirement Age

By Web News 404

By Mosope Kehinde

Lawmaker representing Atiba State Constituency in the Oyo State House of Assembly, Mr Gbenga Oyekola has called for the adoption and implementation of the recently enacted Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022.

In a motion titled; Need For Adoption And Implementation Of The New Sixty Five (65) Years Retirement Age And Forty (40) Years Length of Service For Teachers Of Oyo State” presented before the house, Mr. Oyekola who is the Chief Whip maintained that the federal government position should be domesticated in Oyo State.

The lawmaker emphasized the pivotal role of teachers in shaping the nation’s educational system and aligns with global recommendations.

While noting that seven states, including Ondo, Imo, and Kano, have promptly embraced the directive to harmonize retirement age and service years, Mr Oyekola urges Oyo State to follow suit.

The motion which was seconded by Mr. Saminu Ridwan representing Atisbo/Saki-East state Constituency, emphasized that the new retirement age stipulates compulsory retirement at 65 or after 40 years of pensionable service, superseding any conflicting regulations.

The Assembly however urged the Executive Arm to engage with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Chapter on the matter.

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Education

Ekiti Secondary Schools Get 500 New Teachers

By Web News 558

The Ekiti State Government has employed 500 successful candidates following the recruitment process to fill vacant teaching positions in public secondary schools in the state.

The Permanent Secretary, Ekiti State Teaching Service Commission, Mr Mike Omolayo, said the employment letters of the successful candidates were ready for collection by the candidates.

Omolayo disclosed this on Sunday in a public service announcement signed on his behalf by the Chief Information Officer, Adejoke Ajayi.

It read, “Following the recent release of the lists of successful candidates recruited into the teaching service by the Ekiti State TESCOM, successful candidates who have completed their documentation processes are hereby directed to collect their letters of appointment at TESCOM, Ado Ekiti, on Monday, September 11, 2023, by 10am.”

The new teachers are expected to resume on September 18 when the new academic session begins in the state, Ajayi said.

Following approval by Governor Biodun Oyebanji for the appointment of 500 teachers into public secondary schools in the state, about 12,000 job seekers, including physically challenged persons, applied for the jobs and underwent qualifying examinations while successful ones proceeded to two other stages of oral interview and micro-teaching.

Chairman in Ekiti State, Sola Adigun, said, “The employment is a welcome development. But like Oliver Twist, we will still want more. As a labour leader and representative of ASUSS, we have been at the vanguard of the call for recruitment of more workers across the board and particularly teaching, so, we are happy about it.”

Adigun hinged the call for more recruitment on the fact that secondary school teachers were retiring every year, thus leaving behind many vacancies.

“If we had 10,000 about eight years ago and we are going to 8,000 now, the reason is that experienced teachers are retiring on a yearly basis, so it is very important for the vacancies to be filled.

“I want to appreciate Mr Governor for approving this employment despite numerous challenges. As a union, we are happy. You will recollect that before now, Oyebanji approved the employment of about 1,000 teachers at the primary school level,” he added.

Punch/Simeon Ugbodovon

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Parenting Tips

Parenting; School Grade, not a Reflection of a Child’s Ability

By Web News 837

By Olaitan Oye-Adeitan

Back then as a student in the school, we all looked forward to high scores in our examinations and so does our parents. A child with very good grades was celebrated and almost seen as the toast of his parents. So we all struggled, to get good grades and receive the applause of the school and hugs of our parents.

In fact, we detest ever having red ink on our report cards because we knew what that meant.

Today, this same spirit resides in students and parents and there’s absolutely nothing wrong. But one truth every teacher, parent, and student needs to know is that examinations and grades are very important but they are not everything.

Sad schoolgirl showing her grade on a test at elementary school.

Due to the so much emphasis placed on high scores, a lot of students only read to pass exams. Some do a lot of cramming, ‘read and download’ with very few studying to internalize what had been taught.

Some also resort to examination malpractice just to be able to record good grades, looking for ‘expo’, that is, exam questions at all costs. This kind of attitude informs statements such as “Enito ba mo way e, lo mo we”, meaning, “Whoever knows his way, is the one that’s brilliant”.

There had also been cases where some students were pushed to take up science subjects or courses based on their excellent grades in those subjects whereby such students do not have the capacity or potential for those courses. Some would have been better off in Arts class.

No doubt, grades are good, but they certainly do not define a student. Beyond the grades is a life whose destiny is yet to be revealed.

Benjamin Solomon Carson, popularly called Ben Carson, is an  American neurosurgeon and politician, who performed the first successful operation on conjoined twins who were separated at the back of the head(Occipital craniopagus twins). 

Dr. Benjamin Carson

Ben was not brilliant in his elementary school days. He was so dull in class that he became an object of mockery among other fellow classmates. His performances were so bad that the school asked his mother to withdraw him as he could not cope. What a sad day for his mother when the letter, asking her to withdraw his son from school was handed over to her.

But years later, this same Ben Carson became the World acclaimed Surgeon, achieving a feat no surgeon ever recorded in history.

Aside the separation of the Siamese twins, he had laurels of other achievements. He was awarded William E Simon Prize for philanthropic leadership in 2005, the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP; the highest honor for outstanding achievement in 2006 while the United States white house awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor in 2008. His achievements are just too numerous to count but way back then in school, he performed poorly.

As a Singaporean head teacher once wrote, ” If your child gets top marks, that’s great! But if he or she doesn’t, please don’t take away their self-confidence and their dignity from them. They are cut out for much bigger things in life. Let them know that no matter what they score, you still love them. One exam or low grade won’t take away their dreams or talents. And please, do not think that doctors and engineers are the only happy people in the world”.The principal wrote.

Parents and teachers ought to realize that, amongst students sitting for exams, there’s a future entrepreneur who would not need history or literature in English, an artist who doesn’t need further maths, a musician whose chemistry work won’t matter and a sports person whose physical fitness is more important than their grade in physics. 

Do not think that doctors and engineers are the only important and needed people in the world. The world is so large requiring expertise in various fields of life and more discoveries are emerging every day that will still require specialized skills hidden in young boys and girls who God has chosen to break such grounds.

What is therefore required of parents and teachers is to discover the hidden potential in their children or students, not compare them with others, and help each child develop his potential to the fullest to be the man or woman God intends him to be for God the Creator has deposited in everyone what he or she requires to succeed in life.

A German-born Physicist, Albert Einstein corroborated this in one of his statements, “Everyone is a genius but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life believing that it is stupid”.

Grades do not measure intelligence. Academic records may show performance levels during exams, but additional factors may alter their applicability to your professional potential.

Follow the author on Facebook: Olaitan Oye-Adeitan

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Education

Oyo Teachers Smile Home February Ending

By Web News 661

Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has reaffirmed his unwavering admiration for teachers and the teaching profession, noting that his administration would continue to do everything possible to ensure that teachers and other workers are satisfied on the job.

The governor, who declared that the state government would pay the state’s teachers annual leave bonus for 2022 by end of February, said that the welfare of workers would continue to be paramount to his government.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, on behalf of the Media Committee of the Governor’s Campaign Council, stated this on Wednesday when he met with the representatives of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Itesiwaju Local Government Chapter in Otu.

The governor equally told residents of the Council at separate meetings with the leadership of religious faiths and the traditional council that his administration would explore tourism and solid mineral development to expand the state’s economy under Omititun 2.0.

While campaigning at separate meetings with traditional worshippers, commercial motorcycle riders’ associations and non-indigenes of the Council, the governor said that his administration has been able to deliver on its 2019 campaign promises.

The governor explained that everything his administration has been able to achieve under Omituntun 1.0 would be consolidated under Omituntun 2.0, warning residents of the Council not to allow opposition political parties whom he said have nothing to campaign with to deceive them ahead of the coming elections.

In his remarks during the traditional council’s meeting with the governor and his entourage, the Eleyinpo of Ipapo, Oba Yekeen Ademola, as well as representatives of each group met by the governor, lauded his administration’s achievements in the last 44 months.

Iyabo Adebisi

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Education

Oyebanji Approves Recruitment of Primary School Teachers in Ekiti

By Web News 613

Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji has approved the recruitment of teachers to fill the existing vacancies in public primary schools.

The Chairman, Ekiti State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Professor Femi Akinwumi made this known in a statement in Ado-Ekiti.

Professor Akinwumi said the approval was to further strengthen teaching and learning activities in the basic education sector.

He explained that Government was already working out modalities for the commencement of the recruitment exercise, stressing that proper laid-down procedures including advertising on the state website and in reputable media organizations would be duly followed for the recruitment.

Professor Akinwumi, however, warned the public, particularly prospective applicants, to be wary of internet fraudsters parading their websites and blogs as recruitment platforms for the Board’s 2022 and 2023 recruitment

exercise.

“Ekiti SUBEB will soon recruit suitably qualified teachers for our public primary schools and procedures for the recruitment are already being put in place. As soon as this is completed, we will formally inform the public through the Ekiti State website:www.ekitistate.gov.ng and through reputable media outlets “

“Applicants should however beware of internet recruitment fraudsters,

who might try to paint their websites and blogs as recruitment platforms for the Board’s recruitment exercise. 

Application forms for the exercise would never be downloaded on social media”, Professor Akinwumi warned.

Ekiti SUBEB recruited 600 primary school teachers in 2021.

Amos Ogunrinde

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Education

We build lives, grow the nation – Teachers

By Web News 450

Principal, Oba Akinbiyi Model School, Mokola, Ibadan, Mrs Folasade Ayodele has attributed the role of a teacher as a ladder to the quests of students to succeed in life.

The educationist made the assertion while speaking with Radio Nigeria on the occasion of this year’s World Teachers Day. 

Speaking on this year’s theme ‘Transformation of Education Begins with the Teacher’, Mrs Ayodele, attributed double interest as a factor contributing to the low academic performance of most students.

This, she noted was affecting the education sector in the country.

Mrs Ayodele enjoined students to do one thing at a time as different activities could not be combined with education.

She urged parents to allow their wards to be focused and work for hand in hand with the teachers to bring out the best in any child.

Another teacher, Mr Henry Adebusoye called on teachers to see the profession as a call to humanity.

He said there was a reward from God for anyone that impacted knowledge on others, urging teachers to embrace their profession joyfully.

Mr Adebusoye appealed to people to see teachers as trainers irrespective of the challenges they are facing in their profession. 

The educationist noted that teaching was a mental task that needed stability to perform optimally. 

He called on government and non-governmental organizations to prioritize the welfare of teachers.

Olukemi Akintunde

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Education

Oyo Govt Reinstates Teachers Sacked by Previous Administration

By Web News 457

The Oyo State Government has reinstated 129 public primary school teachers, unlawfully sacked by the previous administration.

The Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran stated this today while congratulating the teachers.

He said the Executive Council of Oyo State has approved that a total of 129 officers were wrongly dismissed by the Oyo State Government between 2011 and 2019 for reinstatement, subject to agreeing not to demand arrears payment for the period they were away which the state converted to leave of absence.

Dr. Adeniran appreciated the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde for his kindness and selfless consideration in administrating the Pacesetter State. 

He noted that the recent reinstatement of the state’s 129 school teachers who were fired by the previous administration, is a symbolic achievement that cannot be neglected.

“This is a plus for the education sector. Apart from being an addition to the dwindling number of teachers in the public primary sector, thousands of family dependents who have been subjected to untold economic hardship due to the layoff of their breadwinners will now have a new lease of life”, Adeniran said.

Dr. Adeniran, therefore, called on teachers in the state to reciprocate Makinde’s gesture, through a commitment to duties and redoubling their dedication to work.

He also called on them to key into the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration’s goal to change the narratives in the education sector of the state.

Oluwakayode Banjo

News

Siblings Disappear From Abuja School Mysteriously

By Web News 565

There is panic among residents of Kabusa community in the Federal Capital Territory over the disappearance of three siblings.

The children, Marvelous, Alex and Rehoboth Sunday, were said to have gone missing from their school, Star Child Academy, last Tuesday.

According to residents, their mother had gone to pick them up from their school located around the ECWA, area of Kabusa, but they were nowhere to be found.

Efforts made by their mother, staff of the school and residents to locate them were said to have been unsuccessful .

The incident sparked a protest from women in the community, who picketed the school and the police division in the area.

Speaking, a family friend, Benson Ubong, said residents checked every nook and cranny of Kabusa from the day of the incident till last Wednesday, adding that, the children were not found.

Ubong said, “The father of the three children is my colleague and we live in the same area. Around 1.28pm on Tuesday, we were sitting together and having some conversation when a call from his wife came in. She said she went to the school to pick up the three children, but they were nowhere to be found. The father immediately put a call through to the owner of the school.

Punch/Titilayo Kupoliyi

Education

Teachers Issue Government 14 Days Ultimatum In Asaba

By Web News 699

Delta State Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, has given the state government Two weeks ultimatum to resolve issues of outstanding minimum wage payment and stagnation of graduate primary school teachers on Grade Level 14.

This is contained in a communique at the end of the Executive Council Meeting of the state Wing of NUT held at the Teachers’ House Asaba and signed by the NUT Chairman Mr Titus Okotie and the Secretary Mr Dan Basime.

The Chairman warned that the union would lead all primary school teachers across the twenty-five local governments of the state on a peaceful protest at the expiration of the two weeks ultimatum.

Mr Okotie also noted that the protest would herald the commencement of the shutdown of the primary school system in the state if their demands were not met.

The State Wing Executive Council of NUT however passed a vote of confidence on Delta State Governor Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for the continuation of the Annual Teachers’ Award and the establishment of Technical Colleges and the Teachers Professional Development Center in the state.

Education

NASU: Members Protest Non- Inclusion In New Retirement Age For Teachers

By Web News 724

Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, Osun State, wants the National Assembly to include its members in the new service year and retirement age for Teachers.

Chairman of the Union, Comrade Kunle Ogundepo made call when he led some members to the Assembly on a peaceful protest.

Comrade Ogundepo explained that non-Teaching professionals including Laboratory Attendant, Accountants and Administrative staff, should be included in benefits.

He said increasing the service year from 35 years to 40 years and retirement age from 60 years to 65 years for Teachers should be extended to non-Teaching staff in all Primary and Post Primary schools.

Addressing the Protesters, the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Mr. Kunle Akande assured the protesters that will wade in to address the National Assembly.

Mr. Akande while commending the peaceful protest urged members of the Union to exercise patient until the passage of the before the National Assembly.

Funmi Adekoya

News

Ekiti Govt. Sets up Committee For Aggrieved Teachers

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A committee to look into complaints by some teachers who missed the Monday’s verification exercise has been set up in Ekiti state.

The state commissioner for Local Government, Professor Adio Folayan made this known to newsmen while reacting to the exercise held at Christ School, Ado Ekiti.

Professor Folayan directed those who had genuine complaints especially on health ground with medical report to appear before the committee while teachers who refused to participate in the  exercise should not bother to show up.

He lauded the teachers in public primary schools for their peaceful conduct, saying that the exercise was not aimed at witch hunting them but to fish out ghost ones collecting salaries illegally.

The commissioner pointed out that similar exercise was organised for local government workers last year where some ghost workers were uncovered.

Professor Folayan added that some council workers who had died and others that had traveled out of the country were still receiving salaries and such were detected but stopped after the exercise..

On his part, the state chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Mr One Emmanuel who thanked the state government for the exercise however urged Governor KAYODE Fayemi not to sack any teachers in the state.

Ekiti state government recently recruited 500 teachers for the public secondary schools and 600 for the public primary schools across the state.

Amos Ogunrinde

Education

Teachers Kick against Further Closure of Schools

By Web News 654

Private schools teachers have asked government not to prolong the resumption of schools beyond January 18.

President, National Association of Private School Teachers, NAPST Comrade Akhigbe Olumhense said at a news briefing in Abuja on Thursday that the teachers have not recovered from the over six months closure during the first wave of the pandemic.

Comrade OAlumhense urged government not to close down schools but ensure safety measures were followed.

He insisted that if schools will remain closed, private school teachers should be paid stipends to cushion the economic hardship they would encounter.

“This support will go a long way to save our lives, our jobs and the future of millions of Nigerian children in private schools. Already most schools were supposed to resume on the 4th of January 2021 but by government directive through the PTF, resumption was delayed TILL 18th January, 2021’’.

According to Comrade Olumhense ‘’Before now, we have called for urgent support for private school teachers, the government on its part responded by asking us to bring account details of our members which has been submitted since july 2020, till today our members have not received any support from government’’.

Daniel Adejo

Education

Implications of New Salary Scale for Teachers

By Web News 7200

In commemorating this year’s teachers day, President Muhammadu Buhari announced a special salary scale for teachers as well as increased years of service from thirty five years to forty years.

It is believed that a positive or negative influence of a teacher on any child will have an effect on that child hence the need to ensure quality education.

Perhaps this informed the Buharis administration resolve to ensure quality education of teachers by giving priority to their continued professional development.

In addition, President Buhari approved the building of low cost housing for teachers in rural areas, sponsorship of teachers, prompt payment of salary, timely promotion to eliminate stagnation to motivate and restore the lost glory to teachers and teaching in the country.

For any nation to achieve meaningful development, teaching as the greatest profession in the world must be accorded adequate recognition and respect.

One of the ways to achieve this is to rid the profession of quacks, which the ministry through the teachers registration council is currently embarking on by withdrawing unqualified teachers nationwide.

Thus individuals, states and local government, education authorities and corporate organizations must reintroduce a reward system to boost productivity in the sector.

To ensure its implementation, President Buhari had directed the ministry of education to ensure an accelerated implementation of the policy while working with states, local governments, office of the head of civil service of the federation and the national salaries, incomes and wages.

The ministry had been further directed to also send details of the new policy to the national assembly for legislation.

An inter-ministerial committee to work out modalities for implementation of the policy is in the pipeline that would enthrone the culture of competence, discipline, and dedication in the system.

In addition, there are indications that the increased teachers salary may put more pressure on the country’s fiscal position.

According to a member of the presidential advisory economic council, Bismarck Rewane though, the decision was to boost productivity but there must be a cut in budget in some areas to accommodate the new order.

The president’s order on teachers is indeed laudable.

But UNESCO’S benchmark for funding education which is twenty six percent of the national budget must be looked into to achieve the needed reform in the sector.

It is stating the obvious that teachers cannot work in isolation but with necessary infrastructure in schools across the country, the sector will restore its lost glory. 

Furthermore, to whom much is given, much is expected, teachers must dedicate their full time and energy at making the sector a pride of all.

Titilayo Kupoliyi

Education

Examining Role of Teachers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Teachers no doubt play invaluable roles in nurturing, shaping,moulding and transforming students to become responsible adults.

The global Covid 19 pandemic has however affected all spheres of human existence and the teaching profession is not an exemption.

With the partial opening of schools in Oyo state, teachers were in the fore front of dispersing Covid 19 messages to students and the general populace.

Speaking on his experience during the period, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers,Oyo State,Mr Tojuade Adedoyin said he was grateful that no casualty was recorded.

He decried the non payment of salaries to their counterparts in the private sector,a situation that had further plunged many of them into poverty.

Mr Adedoyin noted that the union had already appealed to the government that these category of teachers be the major beneficiaries of the next phase of palliative to the workers in the state.

Contributing, the Secretary and Treasurer of the union,Mr Muhammed Abdullahi and Mr Raji Oladimeji explained that the Covid 19 experience served as a clarion call to Nigerians to be prepared for emergencies.

They also called for more investment in technological innovations to aid E-teaching and learning at an affordable cost.

The teachers pledged more commitment to the teaching profession which they referred to as a” calling”.

The theme for this year’s World Teachers Day is “Teachers:leading in Crisis,re- imaging the future”

Education

Reps Deputy Minority Whip Commends Presidential Approval For His Bill on New Teachers Retirement Age

By Web News 685

As President Muhammadu Buhari approves the 65 year retirement age for teachers in the country, the initiator of the bill and Deputy Minority Whip of the House of Representatives, Chief Adesegun Adekoya wants the beneficiaries of the gesture to rise to the responsibility of helping to raise the nation’s education index. 

Chief Adekoya while speaking with Radio Nigeria expressed optimism that the increase in retirement age would motivate teachers for enhanced productivity and efficient performance for the overall good of Nigeria. 

Noting that to whom much was given, much was equally expected, the lawmaker representing Ijebu North/Ijebu East/Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency at the House expressed happiness that the bill he raised on the floor of the House in 2018 had finally received presidential approval. 

He encouraged the teachers to justify the belief that the older they got, the wiser and more knowledgeable they became in the bid to nurture young minds to contribute positively to the process of nation building. 

The House of Representatives Deputy Minority Whip also assured people of his federal constituency that he would continue to generate and sponsor Bills and motions targeted at making life more meaningful for them regardless of their status in the society.

Oluremi Olugbenro. 

Education

Teachers Day: Ogun rewards Outstanding Teachers

By Web News 1194

A Secondary School teacher, Mr Ayodele Odeogbola has been presented with a two bedroom bulgalow for emerging as the overall best teacher in Ogun state.

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun made the presentation at the Exco Chamber, Oke Mosan Abeokuta at a forum with the leadership of teachers unions in the the state in commemoration of this year’s world teacher’s day. 

Governor Abiodun while addressing the teachers said the state’s annual best teacher prize awards for performing Teachers in primary, junior and senior secondary schools has been institutionalized. 

Governor Abiodun who urged the teachers to be professional, innovative and dedicated in the discharge of their duties, gave the assurance that his administration would continue to reward outstanding performance to encourage and motivate teachers.

The Governor promised that his adminstration would continue to pay attention to issues and challenges affecting the welfare of teachers. 

While urging the teachers to continue to ensure that children in their care were adequately nurtured physically, mentally and socially in preparation for future challenges, Governor Abiodun called on the teachers to inculcate  positive attitudes in the children.

Earlier, the State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT Mr Titilope Adebanjo and his counterpart in the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, Mr Akeem Lasisi had called  for the establishment of the state education trust fund in a bid to address the challenges confronting teachers.

Mr Odeogbola from Abeokuta Grammar  School who emerged overall best teacher in  the state  thanked the Governor for the award and called on other teachers to be committed and steadfast in the discharge of their duties.

The awardee from junior school category, Mr Adewale Abayomi of Oodua comprehensive high school Imoru and the primary school category winner, Mrs Mary  Adeyemi of saint Paul school II Makun Sagamu were also rewarded with cash prizes of 2point 5 million and 2million naira respectively. 

Bolanle Adesida

Education

Educationist Advocates Better Welfare for Teachers

By Web News 837

Nigerians have been advised to find ways of assisting teachers that had positively impacted them in the journey of life to encourage the teaching profession.

President of Education, Gender Youth and Family Network, EDUGUF-N, Professor Helen Bodunde gave the advice in Abeokuta in a statement to celebrate the 2020 World Teachers day.

Professor Bodunde explained that people need to appreciate the teachers by offering them tangible gifts as a sign of gratitude and accomplishments. 

While wishing all teachers at all levels of education a happy World Teacher’s Day, She urged them to look forward to a conducive environment for dissemination of knowledge and good remuneration. 

The president of EDUGUF-N also advised the leadership of the country to develop the role of teachers as the primary and germane foundation for a peaceful society. 

She described the theme for this year’s celebration, ‘Teachers: Leading in Crisis, reimagining the future” as very apt enabling the teachers to know their rights and responsibilities and the need for further education.

Wale Oluokun

Education

President Buhari Approves Special Salary for Teachers

By Web News 3249

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a special salary scale for teachers in basic and Secondary schools, including provisions for rural posting allowance, science teachers allowance and peculiar allowance.

President Buhari also approved a special teacher pension scheme which extend Teacher’s retirement age to 65 years and teaching service years to 40

He stated this in a message to the celebration of the 2020 World Teacher’s Day in Abuja.

To further motivate and restore the lost glory of teachers in Nigeria, president Buhari also approved building of low cost housing for teachers in rural areas.

The president also approved sponsorship to at least one refresher training per annum to benchmark best practices for improved teaching and learning

Other areas of incentive include expansion of the annual presidential teachers and schools Awards to cover more categories and for the winners to be considered for National Awards and National Productivity Order of Merit awards

Prompt payment of salaries and timely promotion.

The National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers NUT commended president Buhari for the kind gesture aimed at improving the status of teachers and called on relevant stakeholders to ensure full implementation of the incentives.

Daniel Adejo