By Biose Osita
Public basic and secondary schools in Delta State are facing a growing teacher shortage, with the state wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, claiming the manpower deficit could be more than 10,000 teachers across both rungs of the education ladder.
The shock find followed an independent screening and audit exercise which, according to the NUT, exposed significant gaps in the number of teachers available to meet the needs of pupils and students across the state.
State Chairman of the NUT, Comrade Dickson Poubeni, made this known during an interactive session with journalists at Teachers’ House, off DLA Road, Asaba.
Poubeni attributed the shortage to retirements, deaths among serving teachers and the manpower gaps identified through the recent independent audit and screening exercise. He warned that the situation was putting increasing pressure on teachers currently in service and could affect effective teaching and learning if urgent steps were not taken.
He said the findings of the audit should provide the government with reliable data for immediate manpower planning and recruitment, stressing that the shortage could no longer be treated as an issue that could be left unattended.
The NUT chairman, however, commended Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and other stakeholders for initiating the independent audit, saying the exercise had provided a clearer picture of the manpower situation in the state’s public schools.
On the recent approval of career progression for graduate teachers from Grade Level 14 to Grade Level 17, Poubeni described the policy as a major breakthrough that had removed a long-standing career ceiling for university graduate teachers in the public primary school system.
According to him, the progression would improve teachers’ morale, encourage professional development and further demonstrate government’s recognition of the role teachers play in building the future of Delta State.
Poubeni also advised a more humane and sensitive transfer policy in view of current economic realities.
He suggested that teachers who had spent between five and seven years in a particular school could be considered for rotation, while taking family circumstances and administrative requirements into account.
He urged parents and guardians to cooperate with teachers in maintaining discipline in schools, stressing that effective discipline remains important to creating an orderly environment conducive to learning.
While commending the state government for its investment in the renovation and construction of classrooms, the NUT chairman called for greater attention to the fencing of schools to strengthen security and provide safer learning environments for pupils, students and teachers.
Poubeni expressed confidence in the governor’s commitment to the education sector and pledged the union’s continued partnership with government in addressing the challenges confronting teachers and schools.
He assured that the NUT would remain committed to constructive engagement with government, particularly in addressing the teacher. shortage, improving welfare and ensuring that children across Delta State have access to quality education.
