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…It will Affect Promotion and Employment of more Teachers – State
By Our Correspondent
The Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced the implementation of the new retirement age of teachers nationwide.
This was contained in a circular issued by the Federal Ministry of Education on June 23, 2022 signed by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Mr. David Adejo Andrew and made available to Century Newsfront.
The circular with heading, “Re: Implementation Of The New Retirement Age And Length Of Service For The Teaching Profession (Education Officers, Assistant Education Officers And Technical Instructors)”, reads in part, “following the enactment of the harmonized retirement age for teachers in Nigeria Act. 2022 recently signed into law by His Excellency, President Muhamadu Buhari, the new retirement age of 65 years and length of service of 40 years would apply to all Education Officers irrespective of their posting while emphasizing more chalk-in-hand teachers with a view to maintaining standard, monitoring and inspectorate functions”.
The circular further explained thus, “there would no longer be boundaries in the implementation of the harmonized retirement age/length of service for Education Officers/Teachers”.
Speaking to Century Newsfront, the Chairman, Akwa Ibom State Secondary Education Board (SSEB), Dr. Ekaette Ebong Okon appreciate the federal government for the steps taken so far but alleged fears about the policy especially when it is domiciled in the state, “We are aware of the circular from the federal government, we are also aware that two states in the north have already implemented it. When such thing comes like that, we need to commit it to the House of Assembly to domesticate and send to the governor for ascent, but what I’ve realized is that people will not be promoted because there will be no vacancy at the top, these are the issues we need to put into consideration before taking any action or further steps. There is nothing wrong with it, we can adopt it. It is just the elongation of years of service of those that are presently in the system but it will affect the system because we will not be able to have younger hands and fresh appointment, because so long as they stay in there, there won’t be any vacancy for new hands to be employed. In terms of emolument, it is just the elongation of years of service”.
In a response to Century Newsfront, a school teacher who pleaded anonymous thanked the federal government for such he termed as a good gesture but worried about the implementation in the state, said that if implemented, will serve as a morale booster to teachers who are about to retire but have nothing to show in terms of personal residence etc. the respondent argued that if all education policies of the federal government are implemented and domiciled by states, it will certainly improve teaching and learning in the country.
