The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Kogi State chapter, has called on the state government to immediately restore the 27.5 per cent Teachers’ Special Allowance (TSA) and recruit qualified teachers to tackle a worsening manpower shortage in public secondary schools across the state.
The union also demanded stronger security around schools, warning that persistent attacks on educational institutions and surrounding communities pose a serious threat to teaching and learning.
The demands were part of resolutions reached at the State Executive Council (SEC) meeting of ASUSS held on Thursday in Lokoja, contained in a communiqué signed by the state chairman, Comrade Emejeh Ogwu Sunday.
According to ASUSS, the Teachers’ Special Allowance was the product of a duly negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreement between the union and the state government. The union said restoring the allowance would boost teachers’ morale and demonstrate the government’s commitment to improving the quality of education.
ASUSS lamented an acute shortage of teachers in public secondary schools, saying the situation has increased the workload on existing personnel and negatively affected effective teaching and learning. The union appealed to the government to urgently fill vacant teaching positions across the state.
On security, ASUSS commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for efforts aimed at improving security and sustaining industrial harmony in the state, but expressed concern over recurring attacks on schools.
The union urged the government and security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering, strengthen community-based surveillance and ensure rapid response to security threats around schools to guarantee a safe learning environment for teachers and students.
ASUSS also appealed to the state government to review the mode of gratuity payment to retired workers, describing the current monthly part payment of N100,000 as inadequate. The union said retired teachers deserve lump-sum payment of their gratuities to meet critical family responsibilities and enjoy the benefits of their years of service.
The union commended the introduction of the Kogi State Health Insurance Scheme, describing it as a laudable initiative capable of improving access to quality healthcare for workers and their families, and urged members yet to enrol to do so without delay.
ASUSS further appealed to the government to establish a motorcycle loan scheme for teachers, particularly those posted to rural communities, saying the initiative would improve mobility, enhance punctuality and increase productivity.
The union commended teachers across the state for their resilience, professionalism and dedication despite prevailing economic challenges and difficult working conditions.
ASUSS reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining industrial harmony and constructive engagement with the state government, expressing confidence that the issues raised would receive prompt attention in the interest of teachers, students and the development of secondary education in Kogi State.
