Oyo Reduces Promotion Waiting Period of Teachers on GL 13, Others to Three Years

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

School teachers on the payroll of the Oyo State government, especially those on Grade Level (GL) 13 and above will no longer have to wait for at least six years before being promoted to the next cadre.

This is because the state government has reduced the promotion waiting period to three years., according to the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Mr Raji Oladimeji Ismael.

This was also confirmed by the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (Oyo SUBEB), Dr Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, during a live interview programme aired on Thursday on the state broadcasting station, Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), Ibadan.

He said the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde adjusted the waiting period to be at par with their colleagues at the mainstream service.

According to him, this action was taken because the welfare of teachers and stakeholders in the education sector remains paramount to the Governor, applauding the efforts taken to enhance effective learning and quality academic activities.

Mr Adeniran stressed that the board and other educational bodies in the state are committed to the gradual improvement and performance of learners, reiterating the commitment of the government to sustain its drive for quality education in the state.

In a related development, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Mr Rahman Abiodun Abdu-Raheem, said the state government has commenced the distribution of exercise books to students of public secondary schools and technical colleges for the 2021/2022 academic session.

He said this is another forward leap in the history of education in the state, as this will assist parents in reducing the cost of education for their children, noting that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Makinde has invested in personnel and education materials from the OYO Education Trust Fund’s purse, so as to bring greater development to the sector.

Applauding the government’s gesture towards his colleagues, the NUT Chairman lauded the government for impacting the lives of teachers, declaring that Governor Makinde has surpassed past administrations.

“We are joyous because the approval of promotion letters to grade level 13-16 of teachers has been a clog in the wheels of progress in our profession. Governor Makinde has done what others could not do. The waiting period for teachers has been removed. Instead of 6 years, we henceforth will wait for three years,” he said.