We can’t guarantee quality teaching – Kogi teachers

Teachers in public primary and junior secondary schools in Kogi State said on Tuesday that they could no longer guarantee quality teaching in the state.

The teachers, under the aegis of the Basic Education Staff Association of Nigeria, told newsmen in Lokoja that the poor welfare condition of members had made quality teaching impossible for now.

The Chairman of the state chapter of BESAN, Mr Ohino Baiye, explained that government had refused to pay members the minimum wage of N18,000 which other workers in the state had been enjoying since 2011.

He also rejected the ongoing 60 per cent payment of teachers salary from the bailout, saying they must be treated equally with other workers by being paid 100 per cent.

“Even the 60 per cent payment made did not go round,” Baiye said.

The chairman also opposed the sudden increase in PAYE deductions from the payment of the outstanding March, April and May salaries of teachers, saying that this must be reversed immediately.

He further appealed to the government to ensure the payment of leave allowance as well as effect promotion and annual incremental steps which had been outstanding in the last six years.

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