Teachers seek improved welfare, learning materials

Primary school teachers in Pankshin Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau state, have appealed to the government to improve their welfare through better salaries and the provision of adequate learning materials in public schools.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday, Mrs Kokkemwa Yakubu, Headteacher of Bong Primary School, Pankshin, said teachers should not have to endure hardship with the hope of receiving their reward only in heaven.

“We want our rewards here on earth, and we want them now and in better measure.

“Government needs to prioritise teachers’ welfare as a way of motivating us,” Yakubu said.

She decried what she described as the poor remuneration of teachers in public primary schools under local government administration.

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“How can a teacher on Grade Level 15 earn less than ₦100,000 as a monthly salary in this harsh economic climate?

“The disparity in the salaries of teachers across the three tiers of government is unacceptable. It is the same country, the same economy, the same market, with the same qualifications and Grade Levels, yet different salaries.

“Most of us are doing this work because of our passion. We also see these pupils as our own children. Apart from that, there is nothing special about the job,” she said.

The headteacher also lamented the inadequate supply of learning materials in some subject areas, saying the available resources did not match the growing number of pupils.

According to her, teachers sometimes borrow these textbooks from other schools or purchase them with their personal funds to ensure effective teaching.

“We have been receiving training and attending workshops organised by the government, which is commendable. What we need now are improved salaries and adequate learning materials to motivate us.

“We know the government is doing its best, just as teachers are also making sacrifices, but more needs to be done,” she said.

Also speaking, Mrs Dapar Nanchin, a class teacher, said it was true that teachers earned a little compared to the services they rendered.

Nanchin said the categories mostly affected were usually the senior staff.

“The difference between what I earned and that of my husband who is a senior staff is not much.

“Sometimes I felt discourage furthering my education to rise to a senior staff position, knowing that their Grade Level does not match their remuneration” Nanchin said.

Nanchin also appealed to the government to improve their welfare because what they earned as salary does not last them a week.

 

(NAN)