KEY POINTS
- Rivers State faces a critical shortage of 15,000 teachers
- NUT urges the government to act quickly as schools resume
- Teachers are calling for the implementation of a new retirement age
The Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has raised an urgent appeal for the recruitment of 15,000 teachers to address significant staffing shortages in schools across the state. This call was made by the NUT State Chairman, Dr. Collins Echekpu, during a press briefing held in Port Harcourt.
Echekpu stated that the number of teachers required spans across primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary schools, all of which are currently facing severe shortages.
“Before the last school vacation, we were facing a number of challenges. While the government has made progress in addressing some of these, the most pressing issue remains the lack of teachers,” Echekpu said.
He called for swift intervention from the state government to ensure that classrooms are fully staffed now that the school year has resumed. “At this point, the school system is like a moving train; once it starts, it cannot stop,” he noted.
NUT calls for 15,000 new teachers across schools
The NUT chairman emphasized the need for 5,000 teachers each for primary, junior secondary, and senior secondary schools in Rivers State. He pointed out that many classrooms remain empty due to the lack of educators, severely impacting the quality of education.
Echekpu said, “The classrooms are empty. This is a verifiable fact, and the situation is the same in schools throughout the state. The government has been informed, and they have promised to act, but immediate action is necessary now that schools have reopened.”
He stressed that this issue transcends politics, affecting all communities in Rivers State. According to a report by Punch, Echekpu also appealed for the state government to implement the new retirement age of 65 years and 45 years of service for teachers.
This policy, which has been adopted by other states in Nigeria, would allow experienced teachers to continue contributing to the education system longer, helping to alleviate the shortage.
“The new retirement age is crucial. Teachers are pushing for it because it ensures that more experienced educators remain in the system for longer, thus maintaining stability and quality in classrooms,” he said.
Infrastructure and working conditions still a concern
Beyond the teacher shortage, Echekpu also highlighted ongoing concerns related to infrastructure and working conditions in Rivers State schools. In many remote areas, students are forced to sit on the floor due to a lack of desks and chairs.
The NUT chairman called for the government to provide basic materials, such as furniture and writing tools, which are essential for both students and teachers to function effectively.
“In some of our schools, especially those in rural areas, students are sitting on the floor, and teachers lack proper office equipment like tables and chairs,” Echekpu said. He added that these issues must be addressed alongside teacher recruitment to ensure a comprehensive improvement in the education system.
While acknowledging some government efforts, such as promotions and other benefits for teachers, Echekpu reiterated that these measures cannot fully resolve the crisis without addressing the critical shortage of educators.
“Promotions are good, and benefits are appreciated, but without enough teachers in the classroom, these efforts fall short. We need urgent action from the government to hire more teachers and equip our schools,” Echekpu concluded.
