The Rebuild Imo Government of Rt. Hon. Emeka lhedioha will soon embark on a massive recruitment of teachers in both Public Primary and Secondary Schools.
The Governor made the revelation at the Cenotaph, New Owerri in his address to the teachers on the occasion of the 2019 World Teachers Day celebration with the theme “YOUNG TEACHERS, THE FUTURE OF THE PROFESSION “.
The lmo State Governor whose address was read by the Commissioner for Education,Prof(Mrs) Viola Adaku Onwuliri said the World Teachers Day is a set aside every year by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNESCO the appreciate our teachers and this year: to celebrate our young teachers: adding that his administration is committed to the recruitment of young teachers and retaining them.
lhedioha described teaching as a noble profession as teachers as character moulders, commended lmo teachers for their contributions, sacrifice and selfless efforts in the proper upbringing of our children.
He maintained that his rebuild lmo State has carried out the training and retraining of the Headteachers and Principals of the Public Primary and Secondary Schools to re-equip them for effective teaching and learning.
He also revealed that training and retraining exercise has been conducted for School Sports Officers in the State Schools as his Government encourages and supports sporting activities in our Schools.
lhedioha said similar training and retaining has been carried out for the Directors and the Supervisors of Schools: stressing that the training and retraining of lgbo teachers would be intensified and more lgbo teachers employed.
He remarked that his administration is very passionate about skills acquisition by our youths and has embarked on the transformation and infrastructural development of the four State owned Technical Colleges.
The Governor harped on the need for the encouragement of handiwork and creative arts in our Schools.
The Governor disclosed that he has approved and commissioned the provision of 100 of 4 seater seats per ward every month. He assured lmo teachers that their welfare would be accorded priority by his Government as butressed by the restoration of 100 percent salaries to teachers and soon payment of arrears pension would commence. He called on them to remain committed and dedicated to their to their duty and avoid anything that would bring the teaching profession to disrepute like extortions and illegal levies.
The thanked the East Regional Working Committee of NUT for the Award of “DUE PROCESS GOVERNOR “and the presentation of the copies of the book on the history of East Region of NUT. He equally congratulated Dr(Mrs) lbe Bridget Onyeka of Government Technical College, Owerri for winning the 2019 Best Teacher Award of the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Barr J. O Eze pointed out that every year, teachers gather to brainstorm with the Government on the way forward for Education. He commended Governor lhedioha for restoring 100 percent salaries to teachers and appreciated the Commissioner for dogged efforts in revamping the Education sector.
In the address of the National President of NUT, Dr. Nasir ldris, read by the National Internal Auditor, Comrade Godbless Ekisa he thanked the President and the Governors for appreciating the role of teachers in the national development. He said the theme of this year’s celebration focused on retaining and attracting young ones into the teaching profession.
Dr. Idris decried the rate of retirement of teachers without new recruitment and called on levels of Government to address the challenge. The National President made a case for adequate remuneration of teachers, upward review of the retirement age of teachers and Education Officers from 60 to 65 years, the implementation of Uniform Salary Structure etc.
The lmo State NUT Chairman, Rev. Philip Nwansi in his address recalled the hardship teachers in the State passed through in the previous years. He expressed worry over the consistent ageing and retirement of teachers without any effort by the relevant authorities to replace them with the young ones.
He hailed the Governor for his achievements in 100 days on the payment of 100 percent salaries to teachers and assured him that the Union would always align with his rebuild lmo Government :adding that it was in recognition of his exemplary leadership qualities that the East Regional Working Committee of the Union gave him an Award of “DUE PROCESS GOVERNOR ” and the presented him with the copies of the book on history of East Region of the Union.
Rev.Nwansi praised the Commissioner for Education for re-engineering the Education sector in the State, pledging that the Union would assist in stamping out examination malpractices, indiscipline and the promotion of lgbo language in our Schools.
The Chairman requested for the recruitment of new teachers, promotion of teachers, payment of running cost to School Heads, provision of instructional materials, renovation of rural Schools.
The highlight of the event was the receipt of the Award to Governor lhedioha by the East Regional Working Committee of the Union as the “DUE PROCESS GOVERNOR “and the copies of the book on history of East Region of NUT by the Commissioner, Prof. (Mrs) Viola Adaku Onwuliri.
The celebration featured a lecture on the theme by Dr. Frederick Onah and the match past by the 28 branches of the Union in which Orlu, Okigwe and lkeduru Local Government Area branches took first, second and third positions respectively.
NIGERIA HORN
