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Nigeria: Implement TSS Now, Reps Tell FG
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Vanguard (Lagos)
3 July 2008
Posted to the web 3 July 2008
Leon Usigbe & Tordue Salem
The House of Representatives yesterday passed a resolution calling on the Federal Government to immediately approve the implementation of the new Teachers Salary Scale (TSS) as demanded by the striking teachers
Approving a motion sponsored by the chairman of the House Committee on Education, Hon. Farouq Lawan and 95 other members, the House also urged the striking teachers to call off their three-day old strike as government was taking adequate measure to resolve the contending issues.
But the National Union of Teachers (NUT) has insisted that it would not call off the strike unless the government first issued a circular authorizing the implementation of the TSS.
Hon. Lawan argued that if the education sector must be improved in the country, then it must be given the needed attention, recalling that that an agreement had been reached during a stakeholders meeting in Yenegoa in 2003 for the salary to be increased by 25.7% "and since then, nothing has been done to increase the salary of teachers."
He added that at a recent meeting with the Minister of Education, Dr. Igwe Ajah Nwachuku, the minister promised that the TSS would be discussed at the next Federal Executive Council meeting but "to our surprise, it was not discussed."
Lawan remarked that about N781m had already been earmarked to cover the proposed increase for 102 Unity Schools, saying that all that was needed was for the Federal Government to commence the implementation of the new salary scale.
He warned that the strike would have an adverse effect on tertiary education and in turn, affect the entire educational sector in the country.
In his contribution, the Minority Leader of the House, Hon. Ali Mohamed Ndume observed that apart from the NUT, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) were warming up to join the strike just as teachers in private schools were similarly gearing up to picket uncooperative schools.
"One begins to wonder the seriousness of this administration. It is surprising that this administration will not be serious about increasing teachers' salary even though all the children and the people we represent are directly affected," he stated.
Similarly, the chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Halims Agoda noted that even though education was on both the concurrent and exclusive lists, successive governments in the country have not given it proper attention.
The sponsors of the motion had noted the three-day warning strike embarked upon by the teachers before the present indefinite strike action saying that they were "concerned that strike actions have been the hallmark of the Nigerian educational system in recent times," adding that they were disturbed that the incessant and prolonged strikes could worsen "the already decaying educational system in the country."
The motion further noted that "the Appropriation Act 2008 provides for the new Teachers Salary Scale (TSS) for the 102 Unity Schools, regrets that the recent e-scheduling of the National Examination Council (NECO) examinations was an attendant effect of the warning strike by the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT)."
The motion noted that the sponsors "appreciate the plight of teachers and the need for an enhanced salary structure i.e. Teachers Salary Scale (TSS) approved for them as an incentive to boost their morale and effectiveness in the discharge of their duties."
However, addressing journalists at the premises of the National Assembly moments after the resolution was reached, the NUT maintained that it would not call off the nationwide strike until the Federal Government issued the circular to enable the relevant agencies to commence the implementation of the TSS.
The First National Vice Chairman of the union, Comrade Niran Ojo who spoke for the NUT, praised the concern of the members of the House of Representatives saying that their intervention was a confirmation of the interest they have in the future of the country.
But he rejected the call by the House for the teachers to suspend the strike and resume work, saying "immediately the Federal Government accedes to our request, we are ready to go back to work."
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has warned that it students were running out of patience over the deplorable situation of the education sector, stating its readiness to picket the office of the Minister of Education within the next two weeks if nothing was seen to be done.
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Speaking during a courtesy call on the chairman of the House Committee on Education yesterday, the National President of NANS, Comrade Bashir Babale revealed that NANS had planned a protest rally for October 4, 2008 but does not want the situation to get to that level.
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