Vice Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, has urged the Federal Government to show commitment in implementing the new salary package for teachers.
She said this was the best way to make teachers agents of transformation.
On the occasion to commemorate the World Teachers’ Day two years ago, President Muhammadu had announced a special salary scale for basic and secondary school teachers,among others.
But it has not been implemented.
Olatunji-Bello was the keynote speaker at the 2022 World Teachers’ Day programme organised by Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) Otto/Ijanikin,Lagos.
It had as theme: “The transformation of education begins with teachers”.
She said: “Countries that value teachers reap the rewards of teachers. At the primary and secondary school level, teachers’ salary has remained the same for years despite government’s announcement to commence payment with the new salary structure.
“I urge the Federal Government to make payment of this commitment a priority. Nothing is more important than the education of young people.”
She said many teachers found themselves in the profession by accident and not because of their passion,hence,it was imperative to improve them.
“Many are in this teaching profession because they have no other option, so we must continue to find ways to upskill them and make alternative provisions for those who refuse to change with the times.
“Our teachers must therefore be trained with the use of technology not only to teach the learners, but to teach the learners to use technology.
“In LASU, during the COVID-19 lockdown, we continued to teach using technology, even though people were scared of it at the initial stage, but they gradually embraced it, she said.
The VC said also called for the implementation of policies on free education to reduce the number of out-of-school children.
Acting Vice Chancellor of LASUED Prof. Bidemi Lafiaji-Okuneye, said that this year’s celebration had been designed to address a set of challenges prevalent in the globe.
Lafiaji-Okuneye said for national transformation, the society must be prosperous in knowledge, which was often sought and acquired through teachers.
“The task of teachers in transforming the society is to effect attitudinal change in learners.
“Ironically, Nigerian educational system and teachers who play a cardinal role in the transformation of the society are beset with a plethora of bottle-necks.Teachers are not provided with quality training programmes. They are despised and not accorded desired recognition.
“The challenges facing teachers must be properly looked into because if at all there is any hope for transforming our country, the key lies in the hands of teachers,” she said.
-Thenation
