By Christian ABURIME
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, CFR says his administration will concentrate on quality teachers and improved teaching in Anambra Schools.
Governor Soludo gave the assurance when he participated in the 2022 World Teachers’ Day celebration held at Teachers’ House, Awka.
The event had the theme: The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers.
“The future of a society depends on the quality of teachers and teaching. A society without qualitative teachers and teaching is a society that would die, Soludo said.
The Governor expressed happiness at being able to celebrate with them regardless of emergencies for the day, pointing out that teachers are the greatest emergency.
He recalled how he hosted his primary three school teacher.
According to him, “Teachers are the foundation. If the foundation is shaky, you can’t build anything”.
He assured that under his administration, the state will not joke with teachers.
“As a teacher, parent or stakeholder, the future of our kids is in your hands. I see this when I look into their eyes. We must endeavour not to disappoint them. The values you inculcate in them is what they will grow up with. You have a big task ahead of you,” Soludo stressed.
While stating that to whom much is given, much is expected, Governor Soludo said that he trusts women teachers who are more in number, to handle the future of Anambra kids with care.
Responding to why women are much in the two newly inaugurated boards, Governor Soludo recalled how women held sensitive positions during his time as Governor of Central Bank and none of them disappointed him.
“Anything we ought to do for teachers and we fail not to do them, know that our finances cannot cater for it because we are running on a rigid budget.”
Soludo promised to restore power supply in the vicinity by providing a transformer, dedicated to the Teachers’House.
He reassured that retirees under his watch must get their gratuities, describing them as heroes past that must not be abandoned.
As a people, we must stand by each other. “The APGA slogan” onye aghana nwanne ya,” says it all, said Soludo.
“In a few weeks time, my administration will flag off construction of roads in almost all the Local Government. We are also fighting insecurity to make Anambra liveable and safe because Anambra is light of the nation. We must take back our states from criminals and by His grace, God is giving us victory.”
While responding to teachers’ questions about promotions the Governor said that the two newly inaugrated boards have the mandate to deal with the issue of promotion.
“Education is in the concurrent legislative list. We will move for a new legislation and work expeditiously on it, pass it into law so that the 65 year old retirement benefit for Teachers will be applicable in the state.”
He however said that it should be designed in a way that the age retirement will be optional.
The State Chairman of NUT, Comr. Mrs Nonye Chibueze described Mr Governor as Gods special gift, taking pride in the Governor’s identification with Anambra Teachers.
“The education sector has witnessed a turnaround within 6 months in office which includes recruitment of 5000 teachers (fresh graduates), prompt payment of salaries, appointing professionals, running an open door government, payment of arrears of past administration, etc.”
Mrs Chibueze on behalf of the union pledged their total commitment to the educational sector in Anambra to bring it to an optimal level, describing Governor Soludo as a Senior Advocate of Teachers.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Deputy Speaker, Dr Paschal Agbodike, President-General ASATU Barrister Titus Akpudo, House Committee Chairman on Education, Hon Ejike Okechukwu among others were present at the event.
