Government at all levels have been urged to give high priority to the welfare of Teachers Nationwide.

Kogi State Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, Comrade Ojo Ranti Matthew made the call in Lokoja at this year’s celebration of World Teachers Day.

Comrade Ojo said the call became imperative in view of the huge attendant challenges confronting the educational sector.

Speaking on this year’s theme: “The Transformation Of Education Begins With Teachers” he said: “Teachers particularly at the basic and Senior secondary education levels are challenged by difficult social economic conditions, poor learning environment and diminishing resources and low wages amongst others “.

The Union Boss called on the State Government to among other issues look urgently into the shortage of teachers in schools, dilapidated infrastructure and lack of instructional materials, non payment of gratuity to retirees, and the harmonisation of pension to those who retired before December 2011.

On the delay in the release of Circular for the approval granted by Governor Yahaya Bello on the elongation of teachers retirement age of 65years or 40years in service, Comrade Ojo Ranti Matthew charged the Head Of Service, Mrs Hannah Odiyo to do the needful and stop frustrating the good intention of Government in the sector.

He urged Teachers in the State to vote for candidates that are education friendly as the 2023 general elections draws near.

In a message to the occasion, the State Commissioner for Education Science and Technology, Hon. Wemi Jones represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Elder Yakubu Dele Musa said the Government is giving the needed attention to the sector to achieve set goals and assured that the domestication of the National Policy on Education would soon become a reality in Kogi State.

In their separate goodwill messages, the All Nigeria Conference Of Principals Of Secondary Schools, ANCOPSS, Trade Union Congress, TUC, STETSCOM, and the Head of Service all pledged thier support to the sector towards achieving set goals.