Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Federal Government, on Thursday, begun the process of revitalization and repositioning of teaching profession as recently directed by the President, Muhammadu Buhari.
The President, at the World Teachers’ Day speech, announced a special salary package for teachers in basic and secondary schools, including provision of rural posting allowances, science teachers allowance and peculiar allowances.
He also approved a special pension scheme for teachers to enable the profession retain its experienced talents, in addition to approval for extension of teachers’ retirement age to 65 years and teaching service years to 40, among several other welfare packages.
The objectives, according to the government, was to ensure that teaching profession attracts only highly gifted, academically outstanding students with rightful attitudinal and emotional disposition.
Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu, who inaugurated a committee that is expected to develop an implementable strategy towards the realization of all the policies approved by the government, charged the members to justify the trust and confidence of the President on them.
He said: “You were carefully selected as representatives of various ministries, departments and agencies based on your requisite specialty, expertise and training to ensure success of the project. So make it happen.”
Adamu announced that the committee which is chaired by the Permanent, Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono, has been divided into 12 sub-committees to focus on specific areas of intervention.
The Minister, however, assured the committee of necessary support that would ensure smooth implementation of the polices.
