Kogi State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has flayed the Speaker of the state’s House of Assembly, Alhaji Abdullahi Bello for allegedly saying that teachers are responsible for the collapse of primary education in the state.
Addressing newsmen at the weekend in Lokoja, the NUT chairman in the state, Comrade Sani Muhammed Aminu said it is regrettable that the Speaker and the House have abandoned their constitutional responsibilities of defending the interest of the electorates for selfish gains. He described the statement allegedly made by the Speaker as diversionary, deceptive and hypocritical.
“ It is sad that the same Speaker who ordered his security personnel to chase our leadership with sporadic gun shots when they visited the Assembly to register their complaints, can turn around to blame teachers for the state of education in the state.
It is on record that it is only primary school teachers who are yet to be paid the minimum wage in this state, and they are equally owed arrears of several months salaries and allowances,” he said.
Comrade Aminu added that the NUT, in demonstration of its passion for education, presented an educational blueprint on how to improve the sector to Governor Wada on assumption of office.
He maintained that the NUT as a responsible organization, will not abandon its role of moulding future leaders, calling on the government to take concrete steps to address the challenges confronting primary schools in the state.
Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Speaker, Alhaji Ibrahim Isa-Amoka, said the Speaker’s statement was aimed at improving education in the state, and not to debase the teachers. He called for understanding on the parts of the teachers, saying the task of building a solid foundation for the children is the collective responsibility of all.
