Oyo State Government has, on Friday distributed 9,227 promotion letters to primary school teachers delayed for six years across the 33 local government areas of the state.
Speaking at the symbolic presentation of the promotion letters to the representatives of the teachers, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr Nureni Adeniran, said the letters were for 9,227 teachers on GL.13-15 who were placed on six years waiting period by the previous administration.
Adeniran said the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde was passionate about the welfare of workers, adding that the Government understand that the policy had affected the morale of the teachers in the Public Primary Schools, because their counterpart in the secondary schools were not affected.
He said, “I want to appreciate the Executive Governor of the State, Engineer Seyi Makinde for his love for teachers, which was demonstrated by the approval granted, that the six years waiting period be cancelled or reverted with immediate effect.
“This by implications means that all teachers affected are going to enjoy their promotions with a month’s arrears and this takes financial effect from the month of June, 2022.
“In addition, the teachers that have retired from service from service, in the course of processing the approval for the lifting of the six year waiting period will also enjoy the promotion due to them, simply by applying for the re-computation of their gratuity and pension in line with Pension Act”.
The SUBEB chairman admonished the teachers to ensure that they continue to give their best to education in the state. He also urged some of the teachers who are found of spreading rumours and casting aspersions on SUBEB and Oyo State Government to desist from the punishable attitude.
He said: “I’m using the privilege to warn some of you teachers who are found of rushing to the press to blackmail the Government to stop from that act, as we know you are all motivated to do that politically and unprofessionally.
“Our Government is doing what is right and will continue to do what is right for the teachers, as you will continue to enjoy prompt payment of salaries and promotion as and when due, as well as, a conducive working milieu.
“Only this government has contributed more to the growth of education than any previous adminstrations. As we pay the salaries on the 25th, and constitently paying the 13th month salary from 2019 till date. The Government is not tired”
Speaking, the Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State wing, Comrade Raji Oladimeji, appreciated the state government for its efforts in making this symbolic promotion a reality, as they have all been expecting this kind of promotion for a very long time.
He said: “This delay has been there for about two decades. This promotion will surely help our teachers from level 13 to 15 to move freely and match up with their contemporaries in other work force in Oyo State. It is a thing of joy as we have been longing for this kind of day.
“However, we expect our teachers to put more and reciprocate the gestures, through impacting the pupils.”
Responding to this promotion made possible by the Oyo State Government, one of the beneficiaries, Mr Oladele B.O, an Head teacher from Atiba Local Government who earned double promotion after being delayed for 11 years expressed his happiness and gratitude to Oyo State Government for giving him the double promotion. He promised to reciprocate this honour by doing more for education in Oyo State.
