By Joy Odor
The Federal Government has announced the commencement of implementation of the new National Teaching Policy.
The Minister of Education, Alhaji Adamu Adamu made the announcement on Monday, while unveiling activities lined up for the 2022 World Teachers Day, with its theme: “The Transformation of Education Begins With Teachers” commemorated annually every October 5th.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr David Adejo, Alhaji Adamu said the new policy is holistic in nature and meant to address career path, remuneration, professional teaching standards, qualifications, deployment and management of teachers.
He said the implementation had commenced at the national level, called on states to also ensure the implementation of the policy.
“I must state here that the national implementation of the New National Teaching Policy has commenced.
“It is a holistic package that will ultimately address the career path, remuneration, professional teaching standards, qualification, deployment and management of teachers,” he said.
“This year’s event will also see teachers with outstanding commitment to the profession benefiting from the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award (PTSEA)” he said.
According to him, the year’s event harps on the importance of empowering teachers for the effective transformation of education to ensure quality teaching and learning as well as galvanise technological advancements to meet the ever changing needs for national growth and development.
In his contribution, the National President of Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Audu Titus Amba affirmed that this year’s World Teachers’ Day (WTD) seeks to highlight the critical role teachers are expected to play in transforming and shaping the future of Education in the midst of growing societal needs and challenges of the 21st century.
He said the event, is coming on the heels of the UN-led Transforming Education Summit (TES), which also seeks to draw public attention to the support teachers need to fully contribute to educational transformation.
“Indeed, the right number of qualified teachers are needed, and be provided with access to continuing professional development, improved status and working conditions, and be empowered, motivated and supported.
“The NUT remains grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari, for signing into law the “Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Bill” which provides for retirement of teachers on attainment of 65 years or 40 years of pensionable service, and look forward to the implementation of the new retirement age and other approvals announced by the Federal Government at the 2020 edition of the World Teachers Day” he said.
