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From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, has asked the former Principals (Directors) of the Federal Government Colleges (FGCs) who are still in service to return to the classrooms to teach in line with their callings.
The Minister threatened that punitive actions may be taken against defaulter-Directors who refused to return to the classrooms to continue to render services to students.
Prof. Tahir gave the warning in Abuja, on Tuesday, during a press conference to herald the 2023 World Teachers Day, with the theme “The Teacher We Need for the Education We Want: The Global Imperative to Reverse the Teacher Shortage’.
He frowned at the continuous presence of the redeployed Directors in the headquarters of the Ministry who, according to him, are loitering in the Ministry doing the work that younger workers should be doing.
He said: “The whole rational behind the year of service extension for the teachers is for them to remain in service and render services to the children, and also use the opportunity to mentor the younger ones. Unfortunately, many of the affected persons are resisting returning to the classrooms.
“This is not good and unacceptable. It is a thing of joy to return to classrooms at this stage in your career because it will enable you the opportunity to enjoy the younger people around you, mentor the younger ones and enjoy teaching which is your passion and also a noble profession.
“I want to say very categorically that former Principals (Directors) who are in this category should quickly return to the classrooms and teach. It’s very important to do that so you can contribute in improving the system. Let’s not make the National Assembly members and the former President, Muhammadu Buhari, regret taking the action of extending teachers service.
“All those in this category are directed to happily return to the classrooms and if you fail to do that, the ministry will not hesitate to take punitive measures against such staff, and we are serious about that.”
The Minister congratulated the teachers on the occasion of this year’s World Teachers Day and appreciated their support so far to the education sector, and assured them of his commitment to any course that would improve the welfare and working conditions of teachers.
