The Taraba State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has called on the state government to appoint qualified and experienced teachers as permanent secretaries in the state civil service.
The state chairman of the union, Nathan Solomon, made the call on Monday in Jalingo while speaking at an event organised to commemorate this year’s Teachers’ Day.
“Appointing qualified teachers to senior administrative positions would enhance recognition of the teaching profession and provide educators with opportunities to contribute their expertise to policy formulation and public administration,” he said.
The NUT chairman stressed the need for the government to create greater opportunities for teachers to participate in decision-making processes, particularly in matters relating to education and human capital development.
He said teachers possess valuable professional experience and practical knowledge that could contribute significantly to the formulation and implementation of policies, especially those directly affecting the education sector.
“Recognising teachers beyond their traditional roles in the classroom would not only motivate them but also strengthen the contribution of the teaching profession to the overall development of the state,” he emphasised.
Solomon said the commemoration of Teachers’ Day provided an opportunity to reflect on the contributions of teachers to the development of society and the challenges confronting the profession.
He urged stakeholders to continue to promote policies and initiatives capable of improving the status of teachers and creating an enabling environment for them to perform their responsibilities effectively.
He also stressed that teachers should be involved in decisions that affect the education system, as their experience at the grassroots level gives them a practical understanding of the challenges facing schools, educators and learners.
The NUT chairman called for continued collaboration between the government, teachers and other stakeholders to strengthen the education sector and ensure that policies are effectively implemented.
He said the union would continue to advocate for the welfare, professional development and recognition of teachers in Taraba State.
Taraba NUT calls for teachers’ appointment to senior civil service positions