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Teachers, under the aegis of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Delta state chapter marched this morning through the streets of Asaba, the state capital to the House of Assembly, Okpanam Road, and subsequently to the Government House where security men prevented them from going beyond the gates.
The teacher chanting solidarity songs and carrying placard card as they danced to the rhythm of a live procession band accompanying them said they came to press home their demand for the removal of primary school teachers’ salaries from management by the local governments.
That the salaries of primary school teachers should be deducted from the first line charge before the sharing of the national revenue, so as to give hope to the teachers in primary schools.
The teachers also made the point that local governments lack the capacity and political will to manage primary education. “The management of primary school teachers’ salaries must be removed from the hands of the local governments. We are of the opinion that education is too vital to be toyed with,” they declared.
A letter from the National headquarters of NUT signed by the National President, Comrade Michael Alogba Olukoya and Acting Secretary General, Comrade Mike Ike Ene, addressed to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was handed over to the Commissioner for Basic and Primary Education, Barrister Ebie for onward delivery to the governor.
Ebie told journalists shortly after receiving the letter that management of primary schools is the responsibility of state governments while welfare issue of teachers is with the local governments, pointing out that the governor will look at the demands as presented by NUT and take appropriate decisions.
Meanwhile, some of the placards carried by the teachers read: “Local Governments’ Autonomy: Remove primary school teachers’ salaries”; “Basic education is a right and must be protected by all;” “Foundation of education in Nigeria under threat,” “Governor Okowa restore augmentation of primary school teachers’ salaries;” “We say no to the dark era”; “Our children’s future must be secured”; “Enough of toying with the future of our children;” and “Shaky foundation, collapsed system.”