The Nigerian Union of Teachers, NUT, on Monday said it is opposed to the handing over of payment of primary schools teachers’ salaries to the local government councils.
The union’s chairman, Simon Ozo, who said this in Abakaliki, said the union’s opposition to the planned handover of payment of teachers’ salaries to local government administration is hinged on the Supreme Court decision, which granted payment of salary of primary school teachers to states.
“There is need for the Federal Government to respect the 2012 Supreme Court’s judgment on the responsibility of state and federal governments to primary school education in Nigeria.
“The plan if allowed to sail through will pose serious threat to the foundation of education in Nigeria, and every genuine and bold attempt must be made by educating loving Nigerians to rescue and save primary education from imminent collapse.
“We do not want the payment of salaries of our primary school teachers to be joined in the autonomy that will be granted the local government,” he said.
Mr Ozo said the Supreme Court had since adjudicated on the matter, as it affirmed the management of primary school remains in the hands of state governments.
“We don’t know why anybody in his right thinking senses will want primary school teachers’ salaries to be joined with local government areas.
“We know the excesses of our local government chairmen and their administration, they will not remember the teachers, they will prefer to marry new wives, build new houses, buy new cars and take care of their girlfriends rather than pay our salaries.
“This is why the union is opposed to the plan and as teachers we say, have your autonomy, but allow our salaries to come from state governments or let it go through Universal Basic Education Commission direct so that we receive our salaries promptly,” he said.
On his part, the president, Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, Ebonyi Chapter, Leo Nkah, said his union is also in support of the NUT position.
