By Biose Osita
Public primary and secondary schools in Delta State are facing a severe shortage of teachers, with the state wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) putting the manpower deficit at more than 10,000 across the two levels of education.
The NUT said the alarming situation was uncovered during an independent screening and audit exercise conducted to determine the actual number of teachers available to meet the needs of pupils and students across the state.
State Chairman of the union, Comrade Dickson Poubeni, disclosed this yesterday during an interactive session with journalists at Teachers’ House, off DLA Road, Asaba.
Poubeni attributed the shortage to the retirement and death of serving teachers, as well as manpower gaps identified during the recent audit and screening exercise.
He warned that the development was placing increasing pressure on teachers currently in service and could undermine effective teaching and learning if urgent measures were not taken to address the shortfall.
According to him, the outcome of the audit has provided the government with reliable data for manpower planning and recruitment, stressing that the shortage had reached a point where it could no longer be ignored.
The NUT chairman 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 public schools across the state.
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.
He said the policy would boost teachers’ morale, encourage professional development and further demonstrate government’s recognition of the critical role teachers play in shaping the future of Delta State.
Poubeni also called for a more humane and sensitive transfer policy for teachers, taking into account the prevailing economic realities and family circumstances.
He suggested that teachers who had spent between five and seven years in a particular school could be considered for rotation, subject to administrative requirements and other relevant considerations.
He appealed to parents and guardians to cooperate with teachers in maintaining discipline in schools, stressing that effective discipline was essential to creating an orderly environment conducive to learning.
While commending the state government for its investment in the renovation and construction of classrooms, Poubeni urged it to pay greater attention to fencing public schools to strengthen security and provide safer learning environments for pupils, students and teachers.
He expressed confidence in the governor’s commitment to the education sector and pledged the union’s continued partnership with the government in tackling the challenges confronting teachers and schools.
Poubeni assured that the NUT would remain committed to constructive engagement with the government, particularly on teacher shortages, welfare and efforts to ensure that children across Delta State have access to quality education.
