By Faith Igbudu
Executive Secretary, Science and Technology Education Board (STEB), Engr Samuel Kwende, has described non-teaching staff as an important part in the development of the education sector in the state, saying their welfare will not be down played.
Engr Kwende made this known recently when he received protesters from the Non-Academic Staff Union of Education and Associated Institutions (NASU), in his office in Makurdi.
He assured them that all concerns raised will be duly taken up with the support of the Commissioner for Education.
He further stated that on his part, he was going to confer with the principals under the board to ensure that a good working relationship exist between the teaching and non-teaching staff of the board.
Earlier, in an address, State Secretary, NASU, Jato Jeremiah, said the union has embarked on a nation-wide protest to relevant sectors in their various states to drive home their demand for inclusion into the new federal government approved incentives for teachers.
He said the bill to legalize the policy will soon be sent to the legislature and the union wants to benefit from the incentive. He noted that one of the incentives is the new retirement age for teachers which has being moved from 60 to 65 years as well as the number of service years which has been moved from 35 to 40 years.
The secretary, on behalf of the union said they also want to air their grievances on a number of issues ranging from the unfair treatment, short changing and disregard meted to members in their various institutions.
