As part of measures to boost the morale of teachers, Rivers State Government has directed the Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission to ensure the prompt release of teachers promotion and payment of arrears due them.
The state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike stated this on Monday during the 2015 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Port Harcourt with the theme “Empowering Teachers, Building Sustainable Societies.”
Wike, who was represented at the occasion by his Deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, was optimistic that with the zeal displayed by the new management of the State Civil Service Commission, issues of promotion and the associated entitlements for workers would be adequately addressed.
He described teachers as critical elements in the enhancement of society, noting that the present government is a ‘teacher-friendly’ administration that holds the teaching profession in high esteem.
The state chief executive noted that the present administration is committed to addressing the welfare needs of the teachers to enhance increased productivity.
“Rivers State Government attaches importance to the teaching profession and therefore declared Monday school free to celebrate the day,” he asserted.
The governor commended the teachers for their massive turn out at the event, pointing out that as character moulders, they must live up to their responsibilities, adding that the state government would strive to fulfill its promises to the people, by giving education priority attention.
The state government also assured its determination to raise the bar in the educational development of the state through the provision of infrastructure and training of personnel.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr. Minabelem Michael West, also warned against all forms of indiscipline in the state schools system.
The Permanent Secretary said that the Ministry of Education will not hesitate to show any teachers who failed to perform, the way out of the service, and urged them to brace up for the challenges of providing quality education to the citizen.
He, however, assured that the Ministry would give all necessary support to teachers to enable them regain their pride of place in the society.
In his lecture entitled: “Empowering Teachers, Building Sustainable Societies”, a university teacher, Dr. M.A. Nwala called for continuous self-development by teachers in the state, adding that it is the only way to be properly equipped for the challenges ahead.
Nwala further said that continuous self-development by teachers will enable them compete effectively with their peers in other parts of the world.
“We should aim to be good enough to hold a teaching job in any part of the world. To think global, I do suggest that you neglect the specific local needs of our world, because what you teach the students must as well be locally relevant”, he said.
Earlier, state Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Rivers State Wing, Comrade Nkpogone Lucky, said the World Teachers Day was created by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 1966, as a day for employers and employees to exchange ideas and plan the best strategies towards realizing objectives of education.
Lucky, said sustainable society can only be built through quality education where teachers are drivers, and therefore, called for adequate incentives to motivate the educators to give their best.
Commended the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for the regular payment of salaries as well as payment of salary arrears to teachers in the state.
Lucky also commended the governor for intervening in the overseas scholarship programme as well as on the issue of the closure of Model Primary Schools by security contractors.
He used the occasion to call for the implementation of their promotion arrears of 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2013 as well as the release of promotion interview for 2011, 2012 and 2013.
The celebration witnessed match past by Teachers from the 23 Local Government Areas.