By KACHY MADUKAEGO
Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has decried the state of education in Imo State, w stressing that the education sector is not getting required attention and funding from the present administration.
Former Vice President of NUT, Chief Anthony Ngiah made this assertion at the 2022 World Teachers Day celebration held at the Freedom Square Owerri on Wednesday, October 5, 2022.
Ngiah who was also the chairman of the occasion pointed out that education and teachers welfare is on the decline under the watch of Senator Hope Uzodimma.
He maintained that the administration has resources and capacity to improve education in the state.
The state chairman of NUT, Rev. Philip Nwansi, in his address, noted that Imo state government is yet to implement the “Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers Act, 2022” whereas states like Anambra, Nasarawa, Cross River and Borno have implemented the new policy.
Nwansi said; “The entire education sector has suffered set-back because of unpaid salary issues, usual running cost that were previously released to school heads and principals stopped by this present administration, some of our students and pupils in the rural areas learn under trees, structures are in a sorry state and have formed death traps while housing rodents in them.
“The national policy on education stipulates that teachers/pupil ratio should be 1:40, this ratio is exceeded in our education system”.
He reiterated that Imo State education sector is in dire need to recruit new teachers especially science teachers to meet the present challenges.
The Commissioner for Education, Prof. Sylvester Okorondu who represented the governor at the event said the governor Sen. Hope Uzodimma had approved promotion of workers in the state including teachers.
Okorondu added that the state government also approved N5 million to support Teachers Day celebration in the state.
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary, Secondary Education Management Board (SEMB), Dr. Mrs J.A Nwanebo described 2022 Teachers Day celebration theme ” the transformation of education begins with teachers” as crucial and in tandem with the current drive of the state government to transform the system.
She encouraged teachers to be more passionate in their practice.
