According to President Bola Tinubu, teachers welfare will be given top priority in his administration.
At the 2024 World Teachers’ Day in Abuja on Saturday, under the subject “Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education,” the President made the promise.
Tinubu expressed gratitude for the friendly nations’ and international development partners’ (IDPs’) concerted efforts and high degree of devotion in recognizing and assisting educators around the world, including those in Nigeria.
Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Sen. George Akume, said: “As a teacher, you must acquire teacher education to possess the specialised knowledge, skills, and attitude needed to perform the task of teaching in the school system. The acquisition of these specialized competencies qualifies a trained person to be a professional teacher.
“Furthermore, competencies and professionalism imply that teacher education is designed for certification after acquiring the prerequisite knowledge, skills, and the willingness to be teachers from the onset or who are on the job and are willing to obtain the requisite professional qualifications through training and retraining.”
Minister of State for Education, Dr Yusuf Sununu said the ministry was committed to ensuring that teachers are empowered and equipped for the task ahead.
The Minister said: “We are working diligently to improve teacher training, professional development, and working conditions across the country. In addition, we are expanding access to new technologies and resources to ensure that Nigerian teachers can deliver world-class education, even in the most remote areas.
“However, this effort requires the support of all stakeholders. We call on our state governments, private sector partners, civil society, and international development partners to join hands with us in this mission. Together, we can create an education system where teachers are not only appreciated but also fully empowered to contribute their expertise in shaping our policies and driving positive change.
“As we move forward, the Nigeria will continue to prioritise policies that will elevate the teaching profession and ensure that teachers are at the heart of our educational reforms. We recognize the urgency of addressing the challenges in the sector, and we are committed to ensuring that Nigerian teachers have the tools, recognition, and resources they need to succeed.
Happy World Teachers’ Day! You are the ray of sunshine and hope in our lives who has shaped us for a better tomorrow.
Live with Purpose, Love with Passion. Remember to be happy
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world, stimulating progress, giving birth to evolution.”