The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has warned state governments against the retrenchment of teachers and reduction of their emoluments due to economic recession.
Comrade Michael Olukoya, the NUT National President, gave the warning at the celebration of the 2016 World Teachers day, on Wednesday, in Abuja.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ‘theme for this year’s celebration is “Valuing Teachers, Improving their Status.”
Olukoya, at an event organised by the union to honour teachers for their role in development, described the plan to retrench teachers as misplaced.
He said that such act would jeopardise the progress of public education and the future of the Nigerian child.
He also advised state governments to be alive to their responsibility of managing basic education.
He also urged the Federal Government to increase the retirement age of basic education teachers from 60 years to 65 years, adding that lecturers at higher institutions were already benefitting.
The National President noted that for the government to effectively fight corruption, salaries and pension owed teachers should be paid urgently.
In his address, the President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ayuba Wabba, condemned the non-payment of teachers’ salary and retirement benefits by state governments.
Wabba added that any policy not focusing on teachers will not succeed as they have played significant roles in educating Nigerians.