We, the members of the Civil Society/NGO Committee on the matter between the Edo State Government and its Teachers have the pleasure in submitting herewith our Report.
PREAMBLE
The level of development of a State is likely to be the consequence of a complex set of historical, cultural, political and other allied factors. An explicit Edo State Government objective is to have a more egalitarian society, coupled with balanced development of different sectors of the State.. Despite taking a number of steps to improve the educational system in Edo State, substantial differences and disparities still exist between government well thought-out intentions and the results in the sector.
Leaders of Civil Society and Non Governmental Organizations in Edo State met with the Governor, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole on Wednesday, 5th February, 2014.
At this meeting, the Governor x-rayed his intervention in the educational sector through deliberate policy formulation and actions including the huge investment in school infrastructure geared towards igniting an education revolution in Edo State from the ashes of neglect of the sector by past administrations.
As a way of repositioning the educational sector which is key to the development of any nation, he expressed his discomfiture at the dwindling standards and cited the inability of a school teacher to read an affidavit she deposed to and other pointers to the need for an urgent intervention by government culminating in his proposition for a “competency test” for teachers.
Following the very robust interaction between leaders of Civil Society Organizations /NGO in Edo State and the Comrade Governor, an independent 30-person Committee was set up by Civil SocietyOrganization/NGO on a way forward.
The specific term of reference was to hold further interactions with Teachers” Unions in the state and come up with a way forward.
The Committee held seven meetings and this Report has been finalized after these deliberations.
These meetings included one with the enlarged leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the other with the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS-NIGERIA).
The writing of this abridged Report, and the analysis behind it, was a substantial task, especially given the sensitivity of the issues and the limited time frame. The task was made easier by the tremendous support and valuable inputs given by the Members of the Committee.
ISSUES
During our discussion with the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), the following issues in oral or written forms were raised by them:
1. The Comrade Governor had previously assured them that no teacher would be sacked as a result of the screening exercise undertaken by the Edo State government.
2. The leadership of the NUT is not officially aware of the plan for a competency test as well as the rationale behind it being a very critical stakeholder in the sector.
3. The competency test is designed to sack teachers and humiliate them before their students and the public.
4. Elsewhere where such a screening of workers certificates was done, affected teachers who were found to have discrepancies in their ages were granted pardon.
5. The NUT and ASUSS appreciates the monumental investment made in the educational sector by the Comrade Governor
6. The teaching profession is regulated by the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) and other regulatory bodies established by law.
7. There is a need for the training and re-training of teachers to keep abreast with modern methods of teaching and learning.
8. Government should streamline its mode of recruitment of new teaching staff devoid of financial and political manipulation and interferences
9. There is sub-specialization in teaching at the secondary school level and therefore there is nojustification for making a history or geography teacher undertake a test in mathematics
10. It is demeaning to make a principal sit for the same examination with his/her teachers besides the fact that many principals are mainly involved in administration and not classroom teaching.
11. Teachers in the state are currently opposed to competency test.
12. Nine hundred and twenty six (926) primary school teachers had their names deleted from the payroll with effect from December, 2014 despite the firm assurance by the Comrade Governor that this would not happen.
13. They had made some suggestions to the government on how the educational system can be enhanced in Edo State.
OUR FINDINGS
1. The opposition to the competency test by the State Government appears to be a result of a near total lack of trust in the Comrade Governor by teachers in Edo State.
2. The Comrade Governor has not sufficiently engaged the leadership of the Teachers Unions in face to face discussions on the way forward after the findings from the screening exercise undertaken by the State Government.
3. After the interaction between the Civil Society Groups in Edo State with the Comrade Governor, the competency test already scheduled by the government for Saturday, 8th and 15th February, 2014 was put on hold. This is a demonstration of utmost goodwill by Government
4. The Comrade Governor has reinstated and transferred to other councils the over six hundred (600) primary school teachers who were regarded as “ghost workers” in Ovia North East Local Government Area. This is exemplary and highly commendable.
However, the affected teachers are yet to re-listed on the payroll since December, 2014.
5. The current matter between the Edo State Government and teachers in respect of discrepancies in age declarations and the competence or otherwise of teachers can be resolved amicably.
RECOMMENDATIONS/THE WAY FORWARD
A renowned Nigerian educationist, Prof. Babs Fafunwa defined education as “the aggregate of all the processes
by which a child or adult develops the abilities, attitudes and other forms of behaviour which are of positive value to the society in which he lives, that is to say, it is a process of disseminating knowledge either to ensure social control or to guarantee rational direction of the society or both.”
Furthermore, according to the World Bank “successful development entails more than investing in physical capital, or closing the gap in capital. It also entails acquiring and using knowledge as well as closing the gaps in knowledge”.
Flowing from the above, it becomes very apparent that for our society to develop, the need for a virile educational system cannot be over-emphasized.
The Comrade governor in full realization of the above has done more than any other administration in the history of our state in putting education in the front burner of development initiative and agenda.
The concern of the Civil Society groups in Edo State is the future of our children.
We strongly recommend that the Comrade Governor should meet the leadership of the Teachers Unions for direct and frank talks and we are prepared to be part of that process to move education in our State forward.
CONCLUSION
We wish to thank the Comrade Governor for the opportunity to interface in the matter between the Edo State Government and its teaching force and to call on all and sundry to give the government the needed support to consolidate on its development Initiative.
NAME. ORGANIZATION. SIGN
1. Dr. Philip Ugbodaga – Coalition to Save Nigeria (CSN)
2. Rev. David Ugolor. – ANEEJ
3. Comrade Austin Osaku. – Foundation for Good Governance and
Social Change
4. Comrade Kaduna Oboigbodin. – Edo State Civil Society
Organization
5. Barr. Paul Ojeme. – Civil Liberty Organization
6. Mrs. Florence Igbinigie. – Forum of Nigeria Women in Politics
7. Dr. A. Ojo. Environmental Rights Action
8. Mrs. Ronke Ojeikere-Ikoroh. – Society to Heighten Awareness
Against Women and Children Abuse
9. Comrade Ubaka Emeka Betram. – Persons with Disability Action Network
10. Pastor Olu Martins. – Canvassers for Democracy
11. Comrade Lucky Orukpe. – Traders Welfare Union
12. Comrade Kola Edokpayi. – ESCSSOS
13. Dr. O. Ochei – Achievers
14. Barr. (Mrs) Stella Ojeme. – FIDA
15. Chris Omusi. – Project Charilove
16. Jude Obasanmi. – Josemaria Child Rights
17. Harrison Izekor. – Indomitable Youth Organization
18. Rev. H. Arheghan. – Bethshan Youth
19. Destiny Enabulele. – Cradle of Black Civilization Initiative
20. Comrade Curtis Eghisa Ugbo. – Face 2 Face
21. Melody (Barr.). – NAPVID
22. Ekweozoh Ijeoma. – I See Women & Children
23. Rev. Fr. Fidelis Arhedo. – Uromi JDPCI
24. Jane Osagie. – IRRRAG
25. Mrs Grace Osakue. -GPI
26. Sabina Idowu-Osehobo. – LAPO
27. Mr. R.E.M Ohiomokhare. – World Hospital Alliance
28. Aroyameh Bright. -Erudite Youth Forum
29. Iyamu Osaro Culture. – Edo Youth For Good Governance
30. Theoplhilus Ibodeme. -Kukuruku Youth Renaissance Network
