NAN-H-41
Teachers
By Maureen Ojinaka-Nwanosike
Enugu, Sept. 15, 2016 (NAN) The Enugu State Government said on Thursday that teachers’ salaries would henceforth take priority above all other government financial obligations in the state.
The Commissioner for Education in the state, Prof. Uche Eze, told a news conference in Enugu on Thursday that teachers’ salaries would take a pride of place above the salaries and emoluments of political appointees and other government functionaries.
“We know that times are hard both for the people and the government; but Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has already made payment of teachers’ salaries as priority in his scale of preference.
“While some other states in the country find it hard to pay salaries, even teachers’ salaries, Gov. Ugwuanyi has made it a priority that salaries, especially teachers’ salaries, are paid first.
“Today, the state government is not owing any teacher a kobo,’’ he said.
Eze noted that the provision of desks and chairs had been incorporated into the state government’s planned renovation of schools.
“Gov. Ugwuanyi has vowed to permanently erase the issue of pupils seating on the floor in any school in the state.
“We have ordered for tables and chairs for teachers to create a conducive working environment and give both the children and their teachers a sense of belonging,’’ he said.
The commissioner said that the improvement in the sector would soon start manifesting through better performance in internal and external examinations.
He said that the state government was currently recruiting 2000 teachers to enhance learning in the primary schools.
Eze said the recruitment was being carried out simultaneously in the 17 local government areas through the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board. (NAN)
OJI/KOO/MVO
(Edited by Kevin Okunzuwa/Mbadiwe Okwor)