From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
It could be said that teachers in Nigeria have started reaping the rewards of their service to humanity on earth, thereby reversing the saying that “teacher’s reward is in heaven.”
On October 5, the Federal Government proved to teachers that hard work pays, as some of them who were identified to have had outstanding records in teaching, administration and other activities in the previous year were rewarded and celebrated at the 26th edition of the World Teachers’ Day in Nigeria.
The reward came in the form of new cars, school buses (for schools), presidential recognition certificates, refrigerators, power generators, laptops and other items, courtesy of the President’s Teachers and Schools Excellence Award (PTSEA) that was initiated a few years ago to reward outstanding teachers and schools for their professional performance in the previous academic year.
The World Teachers’ Day celebration was celebrated simultaneously across Nigeria. In Abuja, the celebration took place at Eagle Square, Abuja, with the theme, “Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers.”
The United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and International Labour Organisations (ILO) had declared that October 5 of every year should be set aside by member countries to celebrate teachers whose work have contributed significantly to the growth and development of the society.
At the event in Abuja, teachers entertained guests with march past, drama and cultural dance, all of which contained messages that amplify the campaign for better working conditions and welfare package for the teachers.
President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented by Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, at the event celebrated the teachers, especially those that won awards for their outstanding performances, urging others to emulate the awardees so they can stand a chance of winning in the coming years.
He stressed the need for teachers who desire relevance in 21st century world to leverage on evolving technology to improve on their skills and competencies so they can comfortably pass the right information and knowledge to the students using the right skills and approach.
He said: “The truth is that we have a huge opportunity in our hands to leap frog development in education through technology. But to do this, we must continue to invest in expanding our capacity as teachers. We cannot integrate technology successfully as urgently as we need to without training and equipping teachers.
“Technology has infinitely expanded the opportunities for teachers to develop themselves professionally and to broaden their career trajectories. There are tons of material and courses available online for aiding teacher professional development.”
He confirmed that Federal Government has begun full implemention of the professional teaching and teacher qualification framework standards that would invariably impact on education outcome and teacher performance at the pre-school, basic, secondary and tertiary levels.
Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, in his remarks, congratulated all winners of the Presidential Teacher’s and Schools Awards, and reiterated government’s focus on deepening the reforms in the education sector with enhanced funding.
He called on states and local governments to prioritise the welfare of teachers by placing their salaries on first line charge in their respective budgets. “This, we believe will provide a solution to the spectre of unpaid salaries,” he said.
President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Titus Amba, observed in his remarks that the education system in Nigeria is in crisis and need urgent redress.
He lamented the deplorable state of education system and poor working conditions of teachers which has adversely affected education service delivery, especially in the public sector.
He said: “At the tertiary level, students of public universities have been out of school for about seven months due to the protracted industrial dispute between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
“The basic and secondary education sub-sectors are faced with serious challenges. These include non-implementation of the N30,000.00 minimum wage for teachers in some states, shortage of teachers, poor infrastructure, lack of instructional materials, insecurity in schools, inadequate funding and poor conditions of service.”
Meanwhile, a teacher with Oke-Edo Senior High School, Alimosho, Lagos, Adefemi Adeola Adedunke, emerged the overall best teacher in Nigeria. She was selected out of thousands of teachers that were shortlisted for national recognition and was given a brand new car.
Also rewarded were Ifetike Chekwube Hope from Government Technical College, Onitsha, Anambra State, who emerged the first runner-up, and Adelana Owolabi Paul, from Ijebu Muslim College (Junior), Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, who emerged the second runner-up.
In the private school category, Ugokwe Marilyn Uchenna from Susu College, Nkpor, Anambra, State, emerged the overall best teacher, while Adeniyi Olusegun Michael from Caleb British International School, Lagos, and Ayantola Tajudeen Ajayi, from City of Knowledge Academy, Itanrin, Ogun state, emerged first and second runners-up respectively.
St. Michael’s African Church School, Ogun State, was also announced as the best public school in Nigeria, while Nigeria Science and Technology College, Nnewi, Anambra State, and SUBEB Model Nursery and Primary school, Ikole Ekiti, emerged first and second runners-up, respectively.
Similarly, Chukwunedum Sabina Ijeoma, of the Abbot Girl’s Secondary School, Ihiala, Anambra State, emerged the best school administrator of the year. Akinseloyi Adeola Anne of St. Monica’s Girls Grammar School, Ondo state, and Alamu Bolanle Olusola of the Government Senior College, Agege, Lagos, took second and third positions, respectively.
Federal Government Colleges otherwise known as Federal Unity Schools and their teachers were also rewarded for their contributions to the basic and secondary education system in Nigeria.
Usman David Auta from Federal Government Girls’ College (FGGC), Bwari, Abuja, emerged the best teacher in Federal Unity Schools’ category, while Ogu Evelyn Ozoemezie from FGC Portharcourt and Onyemaechi Pius Chinedu from FGGC Nkwelle Ezunaka, emerged second and third positions, respectively.
On administrative category, Yakubu-Oyinloye Tokunbo Olafinsao of the Queens’ College, Lagos, emerged the best FGC administrator, and she was followed by Opute Dasoye Ngiere of FGGC Ikot Obio Itong, Akwa Ibom State and Ibrahim Abner of the FGC Billiri, Gombe state.
FGC, Port Harcourt was recognized as best FGC in Nigeria, and was followed by Federal Government Academy, Suleija, Niger State, and FGC, Kano.