Teachers 65 years Retirement age won’t Cause Youth Unemployment- Ondo NUT Chairman
.... Lauds Akeredolu on Teachers Welfare
By Dupson Collins, 5th January, 2023
The State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ondo State Wing, Comrade Victor Amoko has allayed the fear of young graduate teachers concerning the implication of the newly approved 65 years Teachers Retirement age or 40 years of pensionable service by Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, saying there is no cause for alarm.
He disclosed this while addressing Newsmen at the Union Secretariat in Akure, Ondo State.
It could be recalled that some concerned Nigerians have cautioned that it may work against policies to reduce youth unemployment in Nigeria.
The Governor of Ondo State Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has approved the implementation of the new harmonized retirement age for teachers in primary and secondary schools across the state.
While applauding the Teachers Friendly Governor for the approval, the NUT State Chairman said the new retirement policy has no negative effects on the young trained teachers, adding that, there is enough rooms to accommodate as many as possible teachers.
The Governor had in response to the demands of the Organized Labour in the state approved new retirement age of 65years or 40 years of pensionable service, whichever is earlier for teachers in primary and secondary schools in the state.
His words, ” I am using this medium to thank Mr. Governor for the approval and prioritizing the welfare of teachers in Ondo State. This approval will further boost the morale of teachers in the state”
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The Chairman further noted that, the last recruitment of teachers was in 2006, saying many schools in Ondo State have shortage of teachers as a result of retirement, death and brain drain, commending Akeredolu over the recent employment of teachers in the state.
“We need the experience of these teachers because experience can not be bought in the market”, he added saying the new retirement age will eventually afford all teachers the opportunity to reach the peak of their career.
He added that education sector in the state is one of the sectors that Governor Akeredolu prioritize its welfare, saying the administration has been paying salaries, giving promotion as at when due, training and retraining of teachers among others.
“We don’t need anything from the government. Our promotion is being handled as at when due. The N30,000.00 minimum wage has been done. The inter cadre of moving teacher up is being implemented. Training and retraining of teachers is ongoing”.
He said with the approval by the governor, it will reduce brain drain in education sector, most especially when the United Kingdom is requesting for the service of Nigeria teachers in their country.
” With the call of the United Kingdom on Nigerian teachers, it simply means our teachers are capable, tested and have ability to deliver. If our government can implement policies that are teachers friendly, the taste for job opportunity in overseas country will definitely reduce”.
