At a news conference that was held for the commemoration of the 2022 World Teachers Day in Abuja on September 18, 2022, the Nigerian Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. David Adejo, declared the commencement of the implementation of the new National Teaching Policy at the national level. Following the announcement of its commencement, he called on states to also ensure implementation of the new policy.
The new National Teaching Policy, as stated by the minister, is a holistic package that will ultimately be responsible for the career path, qualification, remuneration, deployment, professional teaching standards and management of teachers. He further emphasized the need for the evaluation of the essential role of teachers towards national building and the significance of repositioning the teaching profession in order to attain and sustain quality education. The theme of the World Teachers Day significantly strengthened the need for the empowerment of teachers for effective transformation of education.
State ministries are implored to be inclusive in their nominations.
With the new policy, quality teaching and learning would be ensured and the galvanization of technological advancements in order to easily measure up to the continuous need for national growth and development. The ministry began with a call for nomination instruments to state Ministries of Education and Federal Unity Colleges across the nation for the selection of meritorious nominees. After the selection of the nominees, there will be a competition for National Best School; Best Teacher; and Best School Administrator in the public, private and Federal Unity Colleges categories.
Adamu therefore implored the state ministries of education to be inclusive in their nominations by making sure the commencement of the exercise begins from the world level. The expectation from each Local Government is that they recommend and send their best to their respective state Ministry of Education for the screening of the competition. The President of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Audu Amba appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for enabling the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award (PTSEA).
The celebration was to draw public attention for teachers’ support.
The NUT President, represented by Mr. Stephen Khabayi, the NUT Chairman of the FCT chapter, noted that the celebration was a medium of influencing public attention to aid the support that is needed by teachers for full contribution to educational transformation. It was also stated that there is a need for a high number of qualified teachers and provision of access for the continuation of professional development, improved status, and working conditions with empowerment, motivation and support.
In the statement of the NUT President, there was an assurance that teachers across Nigeria would not cease to strive with dedication and commitment towards the contribution of their own quota to nation building. The World Teachers’ Day commenced in 1997 for the commemoration of the adoption of the UNESCO/ILO recommendation on the need of a continual refresh of the consciousness of national governments on the inestimable value of teachers on October 5, 1966. Owing to that fact, the 2022 celebration was themed “The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers.”
The NUT is hopeful on the other approvals assured by FG.
The signing of the “Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Bill” into law got the National Union of Teachers (NUT) grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari. This is because the law makes provision for the retirement of teachers on attainment of 65 years or 40 years of pensionable service. Amba further expressed their hope towards the implementation of the new retirement age and other approvals that have been assured by the Federal Government at the 2022 World Teachers Day Celebration.
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