NUT Appeals For Release Of Promotion Arrears

The iIgerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Rivers  State Chapter, has appealed to the Rivers State Government to release teachers’ promotion and implementation of  arrears of 2009 and 2010.

The NUT decried a situation whereby teachers’ promotion are delayed for quite number of years in the state.

The Chairman of the Union, Comrade Moses Adiela, who made the appeal in an exclusive interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt, said that even those promoted remain on the same grade levels and steps for several years.

The NUT  boss, however, said that the teachers in the state receive their salaries as at when due unlike in the past when salaries were delayed for months.

He described the working environment for teachers in the state as conducive and lauded the state Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi, for creating peaceful working atmosphere for teachers especially in payment of salaries. “I know that when the classrooms in the new model secondary schools are fully equipped and commissioned, no teacher will complain of unconducive environment”, Comrade Adiela emphasised.

Also, he commended the state government for the just –concluded training and re-training of teachers and acknowledged that the National Teachers’ Institute (NUT), is complementing the efforts of the government in re-training of teachers in the state.

On the 2011 World Teachers’ Day Celebration entitled: “Teaching for Gender Equality”, Comrade Adiela, said that the theme for this year’s celebration was chosen by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), adding that NUT in the state is also championing crusade on gender equality.

He expressed happiness that President Goodluck Jonathan has equally addressed the issue of gender equality with the appointment of 35 per cent of women in his cabinet.

He urged parents and guardians not to abandone the girl-child pointing out that days have past when the training of female-child was neglected.

He used the opportunity to appeal to the state government to implement the new minimum wage along with the Teachers Salary Structure so as to avoid another agitation by teachers in the state.

Eunice Choko-Kayode