IGARRA - In line with government initiative to ensure all School children have access to quality education, teachers in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area have demonstrated innovative practical skills that make learning activities pleasant with improved understanding, inquiry and critical thinking abilities of pupils and students.

This was stated in an address by Comrade J. A. Dania, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) during the recent celebration of Teachers day in Igarra.

Comrade J. A. Dania said that the theme for this years celebration ‘Teachers Matter’, shows that teachers were the pivot and one of the most powerful tools for national development.

“As the hen that lays the golden eggs, Government should frankly encourage teachers through regular promotions, enhance teachers salary scale (TSS); give interest free loans; build more schools and renovate existing ones; increase staff strength especially in secondary schools; supply infrastructural material and seats for teachers and pupils and bring back the subvention of old to schools as it will ease the learning process”, he said.

The NUT boss in the area commended the Executive Chairman of the Council, Hon. (Chief) Johnson Emasealu; for the bold step he took in recruiting teachers into primary schools in the area urging the state government to do same.

Responding the Executive Chairman of the council, Chief Emasealu who was represented by the Vice-Chairman, Hon. Akinola Agbaje said the local government is aware of the myriads of problems facing teachers as enumerated in the NUT Chairman’s address stressing that plans are under way towards solving them.

“I wish to assure you that access to quality education in line with National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS), Education For All (EFA) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGS) are what the council stands for and this will contribute to the development of the positive attitude and self concept by teachers and pupils alike”, he said.

Hon. Agbaje stated that with government recent enhancement of teachers salary, reward for their service is gradually becoming handy and expectations from them would be an improved productivity in delivering knowledge to pupils and students.

Highlight was match past by teachers from Akoko-Edo’s four (4) zones namely Ibillo zone, Igarra A zone, Igarra B zone and Ososo zones with the headmasters leading the over 100 teachers per zone, which produced winners.