President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to ensuring that teachers receive fair recognition and rewards.
He expressed regret over the challenges faced by Nigerian educators, such as overcrowded classrooms, limited resources, and insufficient professional development opportunities, attributing these issues to long-term neglect of the teaching profession.
This pledge was made during the 2023 World Teachers’ Day event at Eagle Square, Abuja, where Vice President Kashim Shettima represented President Tinubu.
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Shettima emphasized that investing in education, empowering teachers, and providing students with the necessary tools were crucial to securing Nigeria’s future and fostering global cooperation.
Shettima stressed that education was not only a path to individual success but also a means to promote international collaboration and address global challenges.
He emphasized the importance of valuing and respecting teachers while promising to work towards tangible rewards for them.
President Tinubu acknowledged teachers’ pivotal role in shaping the nation’s future, stating that education had the power to break down barriers and create a society based on merit, talent, and hard work. He highlighted the changing landscape of education in the digital era and announced measures to support teachers in adapting to new technologies.
President Tinubu also introduced the Harmonized Retirement Age of Teachers in Nigeria Act 2022, which allows teachers to serve for up to forty years or until the age of sixty-five, promoting the retention of experienced educators. However, eligibility for this policy requires contemporary teaching skills, including proficiency in information technology.
The President’s vision for the education sector included modernizing infrastructure and integrating cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and virtual classrooms.
President Tinubu emphasized the need to recognize and appreciate teachers beyond World Teachers’ Day, presenting the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Awards as a step towards fostering a culture of teacher appreciation.
Education Minister Prof. Tahir Mamman described teachers as champions of Nigeria’s transformation and stressed the importance of celebrating and rewarding excellence in the teaching profession. National President of NUT, Comrade Audu Amba, commended government efforts to improve teacher welfare and urged increased funding for education, technological innovation, and enhanced security in schools.