World Teachers’ Day: VC celebrates teachers; Under my watch, your due reward will be given to you­_ Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has assured teachers in the country that his government will ensure they get their due reward.

The President, who gave the pledge on Thursday during the 2023 World Teachers’ Day commemoration at Eagle Square, Abuja regretted the challenges confronting Nigerian teachers, including overcrowded classrooms, scarce resources and limited opportunities for professional development, which he said are the result of prolonged neglect of the teaching profession.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented Tinubu noted that Nigeria’s future can only be safeguarded by investing in education, empowering the teachers and providing every child with the tools to reach their dream destination.

Delivering the President’s keynote address titled, “Teacher Appreciation: Nurturing Minds, Changing Lives,” Shettima said, “Our commitment to actualising our education reforms is to drive the emergence and sustenance of a system that recognises that education is the mother of new ideas and groundbreaking discoveries.

“With well-taught workforces, we are not only going to build a nation that thinks but one that lives in an interconnected world, a world where the exchange of knowledge and ideas knows no boundaries. Without motivated teachers, we can’t build a nation that fosters such international cooperation, builds bridges of understanding, and addresses global challenges such as climate change, poverty, and healthcare. So, education, to us, and I believe to you too, is not just a means to individual success; it is a path to global harmony and sustainable development.

“Of course, our dear teachers, we are not just going to focus solely on technological advancements. The human aspect of education is just as critical as the infrastructure. Our teachers deserve to be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. It is my promise that we will work tirelessly to build a society where the teacher’s reward begins to manifest here on earth”.

While acknowledging that every educated person is a product of teachers, he expressed the nation’s gratitude to Nigerian teachers, reassuring them that their profession is a prime in the vision for the nation and her development agenda.

In his word: “So, this day is more of a thanksgiving to honour those who have nurtured us, those who have guided us toward the hills upon which we stand today.

“I believe that there’s no vehicle that can transport you to your destination as safely as education. It is the reason every child, regardless of their background, awaits a future of vast possibilities. It is the reason the child of a disadvantaged family in a remote village clings to the same future as children from privileged homes with certainty.

“Education is the miracle that changes the fortune of a family in a single generation. Thanks to you, our dear teachers, we have broken down barriers and created a society where merit, talent, and hard work supersede the circumstances of one’s birth.

“So, by investing in education, by empowering our teachers, and by providing every child with the tools to reach their dream destination, we have safeguarded the future of this nation”.

Observing that the world has undergone serious changes, the President said in the age of artificial intelligence where technology is transforming every facet of lives, teachers face new challenges and opportunities in a digital era.

President Tinubu disclosed that he has directed the Ministers of Education to collaborate with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation to comprehensively revise existing guidelines “to ensure that anyone seeking to benefit from this Act must be fully prepared to return to the classroom, equipped with the latest teaching techniques and skills, especially in the realm of information technology”.

“I am pleased to share with you a significant policy initiative, the Harmonised Retirement Age of Teachers in Nigeria Act 2022, which allows our dedicated teachers to continue their invaluable service for up to forty years or until reaching the age of sixty-five, whichever comes first. This measure is designed to retain the wealth of experience within our educational system and bolster the number of educators in our schools.

“I encourage each of you to consider taking advantage of this policy, but please bear in mind that eligibility is not automatic. To benefit from this Act, you must possess contemporary teaching skills, including proficiency in information technology, as we strive to equip our students for both the challenges of today and the opportunities of tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of the Lagos State University, Professor Ibiyemi Tunji-Bello has joined millions of teachers across the world to celebrate the World Teachers Day.

In a statement made available to Echonews, the vice chancellor said that every 5th of October is a unique day for her and teachers across the world.

According to her, this is a day set aside to celebrate the transformative roles teachers play in the education and life of every human.

“It has been a unique day since 1994 when the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) declared 5th October, every year, World’s Teachers Day.

This year, I once again lend my voice to congratulate teachers all over the world, particularly the teachers in the LASU Staff School, the LASU International School, and the Lagos State University, for witnessing this year’s celebration.

Today is your day; one that serves as a reminder of the incredible impacts you are making on the lives of our pupils and students, and the society at large. I celebrate you for finding purpose in giving purpose to our children, setting them up for success as citizens of our world, and inspiring them to fulfill their potential. Even in the face of challenging environments, you give your best every time so that we can have a future worth aspiring for.

I, on behalf of the University Community, thank you for your dedication and commitment to making our university and nation better by nurturing our future. And even though we cannot adequately compensate you for your service, we must continue to seek to better your lot as much as we can. That is a goal our administration remains committed to.