World Teachers Day: Taraba teachers demand career rise to Permanent Secretary, level 17

By Nick Yashi, Jalingo

Teachers in Taraba have called on government to allow them to rise to the position of Permanent Secretaries on Grade Level 17 like their colleagues in the civil service and other states. 

This call was made by the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers {NUT), Taraba state chapter, Comrade Solomon Nathan. on Sunday during the celebration of the World Teachers Day with the theme: "Together for Teachers, Together for Tomorrow".

Solomon stated that, "like other civil servants in the state and colleagues in other states, we be allowed to rise to Grade Level 17 in recognition of our service and commitment. 

"The qualified teachers also be considered and appointed as Permanent Secretaries in the state, just as is done in other sectors, because teachers too have the capacity and experience to lead at the highest administrative levels". 

He commended the governor for taking care of the welfare of teachers and students but called upon the government to invest more on teachers and support them in creating a peaceful and sustainable future for all. 

He added: "I wish to emphasize the need to prioritize education. Better learning condition for learning. We call on government to recruit more qualified teachers, training and retraining and professional development to update their skills". 

In her speech, the State Commissioner of Education, Dr Augustina Yahaya. who represented Governor Agbu Kefas, assured the teachers that their welfare remains a priority to the government. 

She added that the government was investing on infrastructure in the schools. 

Yahaya said: "the issue of implementing your promotion remains a burden in our hearts. We are here to prioritize the welfare of teachers. 

"We are building new schools. NUT, SUBEB and the Post Primary Schools Board; let us sit down and see how teachers can reach the level of Permanent Secretary. This is an education and teacher friendly governor". 

In his goodwill message, the National President, Nigeria Union of Teachers. Comrade Audu Amba, commended Governor Agbu Kefas for his free and compulsory education policy, the provision of teaching and learning materials, ongoing schools renovation and construction of schools, payment of examination fees for students and the recruitment and training of teachers.