By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has decried the alarming manpower crisis in some primary schools in the country, condemning a situation whereby a school is manned by one or two teachers.
The National President of NUT, Audu Amba stated this during the 2024 World Teachers’ Day Celebration with the theme: “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education”, in Abuja on Saturday.
According to him, the situation in Junior and Senior Secondary Schools, especially in rural communities, is worrisome.
“In Nigeria, UBEC (2024) survey indicates that there is a shortage of 194,876 teachers in public primary schools across the country,” he said.
Amba expressed displeasure over the non implementation of some welfare packages for teachers announced by the former President Muhammadu Buhari during the 2020 WTD.
He called on federal and state governments to ensure full implementation of the approved incentives in order to boost the morale of teachers in the discharge of their professional duties.
While congratulating teachers on their courage and sacrifices in the face of daunting challenges, Amba charged them to continue to uphold the ideals of the profession.
The Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu, who also congratulated teachers for their tireless efforts, assured them of government’s support towards teachers empowerment and training in technological skills.
Sununu, who acknowledged the challenges of teachers, pledged the ministry’s commitment to address them.
“The Federal Ministry of Education is fully committed to ensuring that our teachers are empowered and equipped for the task ahead.
“We are working diligently to improve teacher training, professional development, and working conditions across the country,” he said.
The UNESCO Director-General, Audrey Azoulay, in a message, charged education actors to allow teachers utilise their role as national and community leaders.
The highlights of the celebration were cultural presentations, award presentations to six governors as well as the President’s Teachers and School Excellence Award.
The awards for best governors were given to Kebbi, Borno, Oyo, Benue, Enugu and Kano states governors.
