Teachers in Enugu call for life assurance scheme for members

Teachers in Enugu State have called on the state government to establish a life assurance scheme for them for improved productivity.

Speaking during the World Teachers Day celebration in Enugu on Saturday, the  Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in the state, Chief Chumaife Nze, said such a scheme would motivate teachers into doing more work.

He noted that the scheme would also give teachers, especially those in the rural areas, a sense of belonging.

Nze, who lamented the dearth of teachers in the state, called for concerted efforts to recruit more teachers to match the increasing number of retirees.

“We appeal to the governor to institute a welfare package known as `rural allowance' for teachers based in the rural areas.

“This will serve as a motivating factor to retain a large number of teachers in the rural areas,'' he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Gov. Sullivan Chime called on all stakeholders in the education sector to assist in the training and retraining of teachers to improve their capacity.

Chime, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry of education, Mr Joe Ikwueze, assured the union of his commitment toward ensuring improved welfare for the teachers.

The governor, who bagged the `Governor of the Year Award' from the union, thanked the leadership of NUT for the gesture.

In a speech to mark the day, the National President of NUT, Mr Micheal Olukoya, reiterated the demand for the retirement age of teachers in primary and post primary schools to be raised to 65 years.

He, however, appealed to the government to desist from recruiting unqualified teachers for the development of the country.

Some of the teachers called on the relevant authorities to promote them as and when due.