Primary School Teachers in Kogi State have been asked to rise to the occasion by positively impacting on pupils in Primary Schools to justify government’s huge investment in that sector.
Kogi State Governor Capt Idris Wada stated this at the celebration of this years world Teachers Day in Lokoja.
Represented by his Deputy, Yomi Awoniyi, lamented a situation where pupils who are presently in primary five unlike in the past can not read or write,urged the Teachers to justify government’s huge investment by adding value to their teaching.
The governor noted that amidst dwindling and competing resources, government remains committed to the improvement of teachers welfare, commended the Teachers for calling off their strike.
He appealed to the Teachers to put in their best by making government schools what it was in the past.
The State Government reiterated its commitment to overhauling the education system in the state with primary education which Capt Wada described as the bedrock of sustainable education given a pride of place.
Capt Wada urged the Teachers to brace up to the challenge and prove their worth as government’s huge investment in the sector and the decline in performance of pupils,indicates a failure on the part of the Teachers.
The State Governor assured that it will continue to meet all its obligation to Teachers in the state and will sustain its rehabilitation policy of rehabilitating schools in the State.
In his remarks at the occasion, Suleiman Abdullahi, State Chairman Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Kogi State Wing said the day was set aside to celebrate the importance of Teachers contribution to socio economic development.
The Chairman called for a collaborative efforts by the government and the Teachers towards making teaching and learning conducive for pupils.
The theme for this year’s celebration, “A call for Teachers- Taking the lead for quality education”, the chairman said underscores the need for all hands to be on deck as education remains the only instrument for National Development.
