Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Edo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), has lamented the shortage of teachers in the state’s public primary schools.
The state chairman of NUT, Comrade Bernard Gbenga Ajobiewe made the call while marking the world Teachers Day with the theme”The Teachers We Need For The Education We Want” at the NUT’s secretariat in Benin.
” Sir, we are appealing to you, our schools are empty, the pupils are not learning, learning is no longer effective. A situation whereby two to three teachers are teaching in the entire school, how do you expect effective teaching and learning to take place? “, He asked rhetorically.
He said the shortage of teachers in the primary schools are occasioned by retirement, death, resignation, and that the government should do it could to recruit quality teachers to fill such vacuum created by such circumstances.
Ajobiewe said that the situation is worse in the rural areas where they have schools with as few as one to two teachers handling the entire classes.
The NUT boss, listed primary school head teachers appointment, release of approval letter for harmonized retirement age for teachers, donation of NUT operational bus and building of new teachers house as some of their demands.
Other demands are payment of 2015 promotion arrears to affected teachers in Orhionmwon and Oredo Local Government Areas of the state.
Responding to their request, the state governor, Godwin Obaseki said he is doing a lot in the primary schools.
He said in order to make up for the shortfall of teachers in the primary schools, the government has trained 4,500 persons which it pays N40000 monthly.
Obaseki added that despite his huge investments in the educational sector in the state, he is prepared to do more.
He assured them that their demands would be meant.