By Dipo Olowookere
Teachers in public primary schools in Oyo State are currently excited over the decision of the government to promote some of the dedicated ones.
They believe this action will motivate them to give their best to improve the quality of education in the state, which is now doing well at various external examinations and competitions.
On Wednesday, over 16,500 public primary school teachers across the 33 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state were elevated by the state government.
It was gathered that some of the teachers had spent some years without promotion before the assumption of office of the present administration led by Mr Seyi Makinde in 2019.
Speaking during a symbolic presentation of the letters to the teachers in Ibadan, the state capital, the Executive Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Nureni Adeniran, charged the beneficiaries to redouble their efforts, saying the state government was committed and passionate about their welfare.
He affirmed that the promotion exercise was part of efforts by the present Government to boost education in the state, stating that, “When Governor Makinde assumed office, he promised to give priority to education and today, we have adopted measures to improve the standard of education in the state.”
Mr Adeniran commended the foresight of the Governor and his political will to transform the education sector in the state.
“Today, this government has approved and commenced distribution of promotion letters to over 16,500 public primary teachers in the state”.
“The welfare of teachers is taken very seriously by the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration, salaries of teachers are paid as at when due.”
The SUBEB chief, who noted that the government was aware that recruitment of teachers would address the problems of inadequate manpower in the basic education sub-sector and promote teaching and learning, urged stakeholders to exercise more patience.
He stressed that soon, after resolving some bottlenecks, the Oyo State Government will employ primary school teachers with professional teaching qualifications based on merit.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, (NUT) Oyo State chapter and the Chairman, Association of Primary School Head-teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON), Comrade Toju Adedoyin and Comrade Kunle Adedeji commended the state government for the promotion of teachers in the state.
They said that the promotion would boost the morale of teachers in Oyo State, adding that it will promote teaching and learning.
