In a recent address on the state of education in Delta State,Governor Sheriff Oborevwori highlighted several achievements and initiatives aimed at improving the sector.
While the governor’s commitment to functional education is commendable, a glaring omission in his speech has left a section of teachers feeling disappointed and overlooked.
The primary school university graduate teachers, who have been stagnated for years, were conspicuously absent from the governor’s enumeration of achievements and plans.
This is despite the fact that the Commissioner for Primary Education, Dr. Kingsley Ashibuogwu, had previously acknowledged the disparity and announced the establishment of a committee to address it.
The governor’s silence on this issue is perplexing, especially given the Nigeria Union of Teachers’ (NUT) previous threat of industrial action if the matter is not resolved.
It is imperative that the government prioritizes the promotion and career advancement of these teachers, who are integral to the state’s education system.
The contrast between the governor’s emphasis on enhancing the welfare of House of Assembly staff and his silence on the plight of these teachers is striking.
While the former is undoubtedly important, it cannot come at the expense of the latter.
The government must demonstrate a commitment to equity and fairness in its treatment of public servants.
We urge the governor to seize this opportunity to address the stagnation of primary school university graduate teachers. By doing so, he would not only be upholding his campaign promises but also ensuring that the education sector remains functional and effective.
The fate of these teachers and the future of education in Delta State hang in the balance.
Will the governor take the necessary steps to rectify this situation? Only time will tell.
Osita Biose is a graduate of Nursery & Primary Education.