Education

Zulum extends Borno teachers’ retirement to 65 years

Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, has approved an extension of teachers’ retirement age from 60 to 65 years in the state.

Zulum announced this in Maiduguri on Wednesday to commemorate the 2022 World Teachers Day.

The governor, who was represented at the event by the Borno State Commissioner for Education, Lawan Wakilbe, said his administration has already written Borno State House of Assembly seeking legislation to back the extension of teachers’ years of service from 35 to 40 years and retirement from 60 to 65 years.

Zulum also announced the reconstitution of a previously existing appeal committee, with a fresh mandate to look into claims by some teachers who were disengaged during some verification exercises by committees over issues of ghost teachers, fake appointments, lack of required qualification, amongst other issues.

The appeal committee was asked to re-examine the merits of claims by affected teachers to determine those eligible for reabsorption into the teaching services.

The governor also promised to look into areas of gaps in the state’s education laws as they affect the welfare of teachers and towards the domestication of some Federal laws which benefit teachers in Borno State.

Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) in Borno State Comrade Jibrin Mohammed, announced a special NUT award to Governor Zulum in appreciation.

Mohammed said the award was in recognition of the governor’s uplifting of teachers’ welfare in the state.

The chairman announced that the union hopes to confer the award on November 28, 2022, at the NUT’s delegate conference scheduled to hold in Maiduguri.

On his part, the Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Borno State, Comrade Inuwa Yusuf, extolled Governor Zulum’s administration for enhancing the welfare of workers.

He however appealed to the state government to organise another round of training for over 7000 teachers designated for further training.

Speaking, the Chairman of Borno State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Bulama Kagu, urged teachers to be more dedicated to work.

The event also featured the NUT’s presentation of an award of encouragement to Borno State Commissioner for Education and to the Provost of Sir Kashim College of Education Maiduguri, Dr Abba Mala, for their outstanding services as public office holders.

The Star