By Chuks Robby
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, of Delta State, has given approval for the payment of 50% minimum wage to primary school teachers in the state.
The State Commissioner for Primary Education, Hon (Chief) Chika Ossai, who disclosed this on Thursday in Asaba at a meeting between his Ministry, the State Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and other critical stakeholders, said the approval was with effect from February, 2022.
Chika Ossai stated that the gesture was in fulfillment of the promise made by the Governor following a presentation on the exclusion of primary school teachers from the implementation of the new minimum wage by the State NUT.
The Commissioner, however, explained that the Local Governnent Councils, under the auspices of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) Delta state chapter, were expected to make up for the balance of 50% of the minimum wage to the teachers.
He told the stakeholders that government was looking into the shortage of teaching and non teaching staff in primary schools across the state, pointing out that the State Universal Basic Education Boatd (SUBEB) had been directed to compile the staff needs of the primary schools for necessary action.
Chika Ossai thanked primary school teachers in the state for their patience and understanding and assured them that their welfare would continue to receive the attention of government, while urging the teachers to rededicate themselves to their duties.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the State Wing Executive of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Comrade Titus Okotie, thanked Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the approval and appealed to ALGON, Delta state to fulfil its own side of the bargain to enable the teachers enjoy a full package of the minimum wage.
Present at the meeting were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Sir Austin Oghoro; the Chairman, SUBEB, Chief Sunny Ogwu; some State Executive Committee members of the NUT, a former State Chairman of the NUT, now a Special Assistant to the Governor on Education Matters, Comrade Jonathan Ojobuh and e representative of Data Infosec Consult, Me. Gabriel Ikpokpo.
