Harmonized Teachers’ Retirement Age: Ondo NUT Wants Aiyedatiwa To Address “Contract Narrative” By Civil Servants
By Our Correspondent, October, 2024
The Leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Ondo State Council has appealed to the governor of Ondo State, Hon Lucky Aiyedatiwa to address the “Contract Narrative” by some Civil servants in the state over the harmonized Teachers Retirement Age approved by the Federal Government.
It could be recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari signed the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act passed by the National Assembly. Section 1 of the Act clearly states that teachers in Nigeria shall compulsorily retire on attainment of 65 years of age or 40 years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier.
The State Chairman of NUT, Comrade Victor Amoko made the appeal while speaking with the PATH NEWS at the 2024 World Teachers’ Day held at the Multipurpose Hall of Aquinas College Akure Ondo State.
Amoko frowned at the way some Civil Servants saw the retirement elongation by five years as a threat, describing the Harmonized Teachers Retirement Age as contract, contrary to the position and policies of the federal government.
” This issue of Harmonized Retirement Age for teachers have led to agitations among our members and we implore your Excellency to take immediate action to review the Circular released on the 29th September 2023 (Adoption of the Harmonized Retirement Age for teachers in Ondo State) and reverse it to a seamless elongation of retirement age for teacher”.
He commended Ondo State government for being one of the states to implement the new retirement age for teachers, while condemning the narrative of some elements that are not happy with the progress made by the leadership of teachers in ensuring five years are added to the service of teachers.
According to him, it’s a pity that teachers are least appreciated by those we taught; the president, governor, Doctors, Engineers and the likes, all passed through teachers. Those we expect to fight for us are same people that go against us, forgetting teachers made them what they are today”.
“On the implementation of the 65/40 harmonized Teachers Retirement Age, some Civil Servants in the state fault its implementation, describing the additional five years as contract, knowing fully well that it’s a policy of the Federal Government”.
The NUT urged the Teachers’ friendly governor to look at the clause and constitution provisions of the additional five service years approved by the Federal Government, noting that it has caused a lot of damages to teachers in the state.
Amoko extolled the commitment of Governor Aiyedatiwa to the welfare of teachers in the state, stating that he has been instrumental in promoting quality education and empowering teachers to excel in their profession.
He added that, shaping the future of education in Ondo State, teachers must be given freedom to innovate and make decisions, support their well-being, empowerment, collaborative partnership, respecting teachers right and responsibilities, improved working conditions and others will help creating more effective, equitable and sustainable education system.
Amoko called the attention of the governor to some pressing needs of the teachers which includes adoption of the Harmonized Retirement Age for teachers in Ondo State, elevation of graduate teachers in primary school to grade level 17, Headmaster General for primary schools, implementation of minimum wage among others.
While reminding the governor of his promised of brand new bus for the union, Amoko reinstated the support of teachers for the government of Governor Aiyedatiwa, adding that the teachers of Ondo State are ready to join the winning train of progressive.
