The Nigerian Teachers Union (NUT) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his efforts to restore the glory of Nigerian teachers.

The union’s general secretary, Dr. Mike Ike-Ene, delivered the eulogy at a symposium organized by the Ministry of Education on Thursday in Abuja.

The symposium was part of the activities commemorating the next World Teachers’ Day 2021 with the theme “Teachers at the heart of the recovery of education”.

Ike-Ene, who was represented by NUT member Okoroafor Okechukwu, noted that efforts to conclude work on the 2020 promise to teachers by the president were commendable.

He also praised the guarantee provided by the Federal Government that the implementation of the improved salary structure for teachers, extended years of service for teachers, assignments and other incentives would begin in January 2022.

According to him, updating incentives will go a long way to repositioning the teaching profession, as well as giving teachers the confidence to compete globally.

“If the years of service for teachers, for example, are increased and sustained to 40 years of service or 65 years before retirement, there will be a huge benefit.

“In addition, increased motivation increases the momentum, ego needs of teachers and encourages them to focus and treasure their work.

“The teaching profession deserves its place of honor in attracting the best brains.

“Where attractive conditions exist, the lost glory of the profession will undoubtedly be recovered.

The Nigerian News Agency (NAN) reports that President Buhari, on the commemoration of World Teachers’ Day on October 5, 2020, approved a special salary scale and special pension plan for teachers.

He also said that the Trust Fund for Tertiary Education (TETFUND) would begin to finance teaching practice in universities and colleges of education.

In addition, he promised to secure provisions for the rural employment allowance, the science teacher allowance, and the special allowance.

The president also promised to sponsor at least one refresher training, the construction of low-cost housing for teachers in rural areas, and the reintroduction of the scholarship.

Other promises are the expansion of the annual awards for teachers and presidential schools and the payment of stipends to students of bachelor of education and automatic employment after graduation.

As part of the effort to make the promise come true, the president issued a letter in June about a bill to raise the retirement age for teachers from 60 to 65.

The bill also seeks to extend the years of service of teachers from 35 to 40 years.

Meanwhile, relevant stakeholders are working on other incentives, which are policy matters, to ensure their implementation by 2022. (NAN)