Michael Olugbode
7 October 2008
Maiduguri — In order to resuscitate its education sector, Borno State will employ 3, 000 teachers over the next three years. Governor Ali Modu Sheriff, who made the pledge at the celebration of this year's World Teachers Day on Monday said his government was fully aware of the fact that no nation could truly develop without a sound educational sector, as it is the bedrock of every developmental effort.
Sheriff, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Ambassador Ahmed Baba Jidda said the 3, 000 would be largely science teachers. He acknowledged the plight of teachers in the state, saying his administration will do something, very soon, to alleviate their suffering.
Sheriff, who promised to continue to rehabilitate all the schools in the state and ensure a conducive teaching environment, said every effort would be made to implement the 27.5 percent enhanced teachers' allowances, which was part of the agreement with the teachers during their recent nationwide strike.
He called on all wealthy individuals and philanthropists to complement government's efforts at providing qualitative education. His administration, he said would soon resuscitate the Education Endowment Fund with a view to ensuring private participation in the sector. He therefore urged teachers to rededicate themselves to the teaching profession as its benefits to humanity are enormous.
Earlier, the teachers through the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Garba Ngamdu had appealed to the state government to implement the 27.5 per cent enhanced teachers' allowance, stressing that the payment of the allowance would show that the governor was really determined to move the sector forward.
Ngamdu called on teachers not to treat the HIV/AIDS pandemic with levity and urged them to imbibe the habit of good living through abstinence and self-protection, even as he enjoined them to voluntarily make themselves available to be tested for the virus.
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