By Faith Igbudu
Benue state Commissioner for Education, Dr Sarwuan Tarnongu, has urged teachers in the state to keep faith with the Samuel Ortom led administration as it is working towards resolving all issues pertaining to teacher’s welfare before exit.
He disclosed this while delivering a speech as Benue teachers marked the 2022 World Teacher’s Day celebration at the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) secretariat, Makurdi.
Represented by the Special Adviser on Basic Education, Mike Adyo, Dr Tarnongu said the care this administration has for education in the state is unprecedented, saying it is fighting all odds to keep the sector flying.
“…it may appear that there are many unresolved problems occasioned by COVID-19 and economic meltdown such as arrears of salaries, pension and gratuity, yearly incremental grading of teachers…
“I solicit that you keep faith that all issues will be fully tackled before the exit of the Ortom-led administration, by the grace of God,” the commissioner said.
He said, already under the leadership of the present administration, basic school teachers in the state now enjoy the N18,000 minimum wage, in addition to the implementation of long standing case of promotion.
He hinted also that the state government has set in motion the process of domesticating the 65 years of birth and 40 years service for teachers in the state.
Some of the teachers, Aje Sunday, Pillah Donald, Blessing Iorember, who spoke separately with The Voice at the occasion, appreciated the position of the state government towards education and the various interventions. They however, lamented on the issue of insecurity, saying it is the greatest threat to educational advancement in the state.