International organisations advocate improved incentives for teachers
NAN-H-88
Incentives
By Kate Obande
Abuja, Oct. 5, 2016 (NAN) International Organisations working in the education sector have advised the Federal Government to improve incentives for teachers to promote quality education.
Dr Saidou Jallow, Senior Education Specialist at UNESCO, made the call at the 2016 World Teachers Day on Wednesday in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the occasion, with the theme “Valuing Teachers, Improving their Status”, was organised by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), to honour teachers for their role in development.
Jallow said that teachers needed to be compensated properly for their role in shaping a better world for all.
He noted that many teachers in the country were under paid, under-trained and undervalued.
“Teaching could be an attractive, first choice profession, if teachers were valued commensurate with the immense value they provide to our children.
“But many teachers still work with inadequate contracts and pay.
“They often live in difficult conditions and lack appropriate initial training, continuous professional development and consistent support,’’ Jallow said.
He emphasised the need for government to put in place policies that would safeguard and reinforce the status of teachers.
He added that teachers should be given a place to play active role in decision-making processes of the country as it affects their work.
Jallow explained that the Sustainable Development Goals could not be achieved except teachers were empowered.
Similarly in her address, Laura Brynnell, Education Specialist at Department For International Development (DFID), said that incentives for teachers should be increased to encourage them to carry out their duties effectively.
She added that teachers should be promoted when due, noting that teachers’ promotion was unduly delayed.
According to her, the development of teachers is the bedrock of education, adding that current best practices in education should be extended to all schools.
Brynnell noted that 25,000 teachers would benefit from the Teachers Development Programme of DFID in 11 states of the federation.
She further underscored the need to avail head teachers at the basic education of appropriate training on how to manage schools. (NAN)
KTE/NKO/NKO
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Edited by Nkechi Okoronkwo