As part of measures to positively reshape the educational system in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta state, critical stakeholders in the sector have agreed to implement the “No work no pay” policy for primary school teachers in the area.
The agreement was reached at a stakeholders meeting held between the chairman of Burutu Local Government Council, the third member of the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Secretary Local Education Authority, Teaching and non-teaching staff including headteachers of various primary schools in the area.
At the stakeholders meeting held at Ayakoromo, Ogbogbene and Burutu community, a resolution was reached on the repositioning of the teachers for optimal performance in their teaching profession particularly in the riverine communities of Burutu.
The Executive Secretary Local Education Authority in Burutu Council Area, Hon Rufus Eserifa, who set the ball rolling at the various meetings said that there was the need for all to redesign effective policies in order to maximize educational excellence and progressive move towards the attainment of the desired quality of education at the elementary stage.
Hon Eserifa while reminding the teachers that the elementary stage is the bedrock of education urged them to take their teaching profession seriously by helping to shape the attitude of the pupils for a secured society.
He implored the teachers to be committed to their profession hinting that Government is going back on its no work no pay policy for primary school teachers in Burutu Local Government Area.
For their part, the chairman of Burutu local government Area, Hon God’sknow Angele and the third member of the Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Hon Paul kurugbe, said it was disheartening to hear that some teachers collect salary at the end of every month without going to their place of work.
He warned that tough time now awaits such erring teachers.
While disclosing that the Government has concluded plans to stop the salary of primary school teachers who abandoned their place of work, the duo stated that such teachers would have themselves to blame as there is no more room for wastage.
Hon Angele and Hon Okurugbe equally tasked community leaders to be fully involved in helping to checkmate truancy amongst primary school teachers posted to their communities, noting that the actions of the teachers will have negative effect on their children if they fail to act.
The Burutu council chairman and the third member SUBEB tasked the teachers to uphold professionalism and good dress sense that will portray the teaching profession in good light.
Some teachers, community leaders and the Secretary Association of Primary School Headteachers of Nigeria Burutu chapter, Comrade Stephen Tolo described the meeting as timely and called for its sustenance.
This according to him will help to checkmate some of the shortcomings from primary school teachers, particularly those in the riverine communities.
A cash gift was presented to the best-dressed teacher during the meeting which featured a question and answers session.