. As NUT urges Govt to appoint teachers Perm Secs
. Okpebholo salutes teachers’ sacrifices
Favour Ishember, Abuja and Emmanuel Awari, Jalingo with Agency report
The Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad, has raised concern over the learning crisis in the country, revealing that 74 per cent of children aged seven to 14 are unable to attain basic reading and mathematics skills, despite many being enrolled in school.
This was as Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has commended Edo teachers for their dedication, sacrifice and commitment to educating the next generation, assuring them that his administration will continue to prioritise their welfare and improve the education sector.
As teachers celebrated the day, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Taraba State Wing, has called on the government to appoint qualified and experienced teachers to the position of Permanent Secretary in the state civil service.
Drawing from UNICEF’s 2024 report, the education minister said millions of children remain educationally disadvantaged, stressing that enrolment alone is not enough if learners are denied quality instruction, safety and inclusion in the classroom.
She spoke on Monday at the National Trainers’ Workshop on Safe Learning Environment, Gender-Responsive Technology and ICT Skills for Educators in Teacher Training Institutions in Nigeria, held at Newton Park Hotel and Resort, Abuja.
Ahmad said every child deserves not only access to education but also a secure, inclusive and supportive environment where learning can flourish.
She disclosed that the workshop will build the capacity of 45 master trainers drawn from 15 colleges of education, who are expected to transfer the knowledge gained to about 500 teacher educators, thereby extending the programme’s impact across teacher training institutions nationwide.
The minister said the initiative supports the Federal Government’s Education Sector Renewal Initiative, which prioritises improved access to education, better teaching quality, safer schools and the integration of digital technology into learning.
She also underscored the implementation of the National Policy on Anti-Bullying in Nigerian Schools, noting that its effectiveness depends on teachers being able to identify bullying, protect vulnerable learners and respond appropriately to reported cases.
Professor Ahmad stressed that teachers must be equipped with digital skills to prepare learners for today’s technology-driven world.
According to her, “A teacher has to be digitally sound and enabled to be able to impact adequate knowledge to students in a digital era,” urging educators to embrace ICT as an essential component of modern teaching.
She praised the Government of Japan, UNESCO, the UNESCO Abuja Office, the African Union International Centre for the Education of Girls and Women in Africa, the Nigerian National Commission for UNESCO and participating colleges of education for supporting the programme.
The minister described the digital equipment provided to the colleges as a strategic investment in strengthening teacher education and encouraged participants to maximise the use of projectors, smartboards, tablets and other ICT facilities during the training and beyond.
She also urged teacher educators to demonstrate practical classroom applications of technology by developing inclusive lesson plans, adapting digital learning resources and effectively using ICT tools, even in communities with limited internet access.
Ahmad further challenged the master trainers to return to their institutions and ensure that the knowledge acquired becomes embedded in routine teacher preparation instead of remaining a one-time training exercise.
She concluded by urging educators to build classrooms where every child feels safe, respected and heard, noting that well-trained teachers have the power to keep learners engaged and prevent them from slipping through the cracks.
In a message on Monday to mark the 2026 World Teachers’ Day, the governor said teachers held the key to the development of every society, noting that meaningful progress depended on investing in those responsible for preparing children and young people for the future.
He thanked public school teachers for their service and patriotism, saying their work extended beyond the classroom to shaping the values, skills and character of future leaders.
“First, I commend Edo teachers for their dedication, sacrifice and commitment to educating the next generation and I assure them that this administration will continue to prioritise their welfare and improve the education sector.
“Today, we celebrate our teachers who have continued to serve our children and our state with dedication, despite the challenges they face. I want to assure every teacher in Edo State that your welfare matters to us and that we will continue to take practical steps to improve your working conditions.
“Our administration believes that quality education starts with motivated and adequately supported teachers. We will therefore continue to invest in our teachers, our schools and the wider education system,” he said.
The governor said his administration had absorbed 5,000 contract teachers into the state civil service, providing them with greater job security, while 6,000 teachers were recruited to address staffing shortages in public schools.
“We cannot build schools and leave them without teachers. Our priority is to ensure that our children have access to qualified teachers, whether they are in Benin City or in our rural communities,” he said.
The governor congratulated teachers across Edo State, saying, “To every teacher in Edo State, I say thank you for your service. Happy World Teachers’ Day.”
Meanwhile, Taraba State Chairman of the NUT, Comrade Nathan Solomon, made the call in Jalingo during an event organised to mark this year’s Teachers’ Day.
Comrade Solomon stressed the need for greater recognition of the teaching profession, noting that qualified teachers should be given opportunities to contribute their expertise to policy formulation and administration within the civil service.
The event featured a workshop held as part of activities marking Teachers’ Day, with the theme: “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Promoting the Profession, Advancing Its Status and Shaping the Future.”
He said the theme underscored the important role teachers have continued to play in building the education sector and shaping the future of society.
According to him, the theme of this year’s celebration reminds us that teachers are at the heart of every successful education system.
“For generations, teachers have not only imparted knowledge but have also nurtured character, inspired dreams, shaped values, and prepared young people to become responsible and productive citizens.
He said that the quality of education depends greatly on the welfare, motivation, and working conditions of teachers. We therefore call for continued investment in education, regular training and professional development, adequate teaching and learning facilities, timely payment of salaries and allowances, and improved welfare packages for teachers.
He reaffirm the Union’s commitment to working constructively with the government and other stakeholders to promote quality education, protect the dignity of teachers, and advance the professional status of the teaching profession.
“At this juncture, the Union wishes to sincerely appreciate His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Taraba State, for the payment of outstanding arrears owed to teachers. This gesture has brought considerable relief to our members and demonstrates a commitment to addressing issues affecting the welfare of teachers.
“I wish to place it on record that His Excellency Governor Agbu Kefas has demonstrated a teacher-friendly disposition, particularly through his emphasis on education as one of the priorities of his administration.
“We also appreciate the government for the successful conduct of our National Conference of Delegates and other initiatives aimed at strengthening the education sector.
However, while appreciating these efforts, we respectfully urge the government to continue to give attention to the outstanding concerns of teachers. In particular, we appeal for the implementation of promotions and annual increments as and when due.
“We also call on the government to consider the uplifting of deserving teachers to Grade Level 17, in line with the need to recognize excellence, experience, and professionalism within the teaching service – he said.
“Teaching is more than a profession; it is a noble calling and a service to humanity. Let us therefore continue to stand together, support one another, uphold the dignity of our profession, and remain committed to giving our children the quality education they deserve,” he added.
For a better society
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