World Teachers Day: NUT Bemoans Non-Payment of Allowances To Federal Government College Teachers

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has expressed worry over alleged non-payment of allowances to teachers of Federal Government Colleges in the country.

The education body called on the government to approve the payment to ensure that the teachers are remunerated.

“We reiterate our concern over the non-payment of the 27.5% Professional Allowance to teachers of the Federal Government Colleges.

The National President of the NUT, Dr. Nasir Idris, said this in a speech he delivered during the World Teachers Day commemoration in Abuja on Tuesday.

“We call on the Federal Government to graciously approve payment of the said allowances for these teachers, as this would go a long way to motivate the affected teachers towards optimum performance and productivity,” he said.

Idris also said that in certain states, primary school teachers’ salaries are not being paid as and when due.

“We, therefore, call on the National Assembly in the on-going 4th Alteration Act on the 1999 Constitution, to provide for the funding of Basic Education through First Line Charge.

“It will also be of immense benefit if the the extent of contribution of the various tiers of government in the funding of Basic Education is clearly defined in the Constitution accordingly,” he said.

The NUT president also said some state governments have yet to implement the National Wage Act of 2018 for its teachers.

“We herewith call on the erring State Governments to implement the National Minimum Wage without further delay. May we remind them that every worker is worthy of his/her wage, especially now that our take-home pay can hardly take us home,” he said.

Idris further said the NUT was grateful to the government for the establishment of the National Senior Secondary Education Commission (NSSEC).

“Today, the teachers of Nigeria are grateful to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, for the establishment of the NSSEC and appointment of an Executive Secretary to ensure the effective take-off of the Commission.

“It is our hope that the Commission will bring the Secondary Education sub-sector to national focus for integrated management, funding, and standardization,” he said.