Nasarawa State House of Assembly on Wednesday summoned Commissioners for Education and Finance over the non-payment of newly employed teachers’ salaries.
Others summoned by the lawmakers include the state Accountant-General, Head of Civil Service and the Director, Salary Bureau.
The Assembly also directed the affected government officials to appear before it on Monday, Feb.21 to explain why over 400 newly hired secondary school teachers were not paid their salaries for three months.
At the plenary, the Chairman, House Committee on Education, Mr Daniel Ogazi, (APC Kokona-East) urged the House to intervene in the matter.
He said it was disheartening that the newly employed secondary school teachers had not been paid their salaries, since Nov. 2021.
“We must give top priority to the welfare of teachers if we want quality and standard education in the state,” he said.
The Speaker, Alhaji Ibrahim Abdullahi, after deliberations said that to reach high standard of education in the State, teachers must be encouraged, motivated and their salaries must be paid promptly.
“Honestly what is happening in the education sector, particularly in the state is saddening.
“In view of this, we are inviting these government officials for clarification on why state government failed to pay salary to newly employed secondary school teachers for three months.
“Without paying teachers’ salaries, believe me we are killing their morale. We need quality education for our children, you can’t keep teachers hungry and expect them to give their best”, he said. (NAN)
