Vice President Yemi Osinbajo says efforts are underway to increase the retirement age of teachers in Nigeria’s public service from 60 to 65 years.

“For example, there is a policy now, though not a law yet; it is still in the National Assembly about moving the retirement age of teachers in the public service from 60 to 65,” the vice president said Tuesday.

Mr Osinbajo was hosting the Maltina Teacher of the Year, 2020 Winner, Oluwabunmi Anani, as part of the 2021 World Teachers Day celebration at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“That’s an additional five years; then also looking at their remuneration,” he said.

The vice president said that there were also moves to employ teachers into the public service starting from level 8 as against level 7.

“I think one of the questions that have arisen is when the teacher comes into the public service; in the past, they used to come in at Level 7, which is not the level that a graduate would come in.

“Part of the policy is that they should come in at Level 8; but of course this has to go through various processes and all that,” Mr Osinbajo said.

He said that state governments also had a role to play as issues of primary and secondary education were essentially the function of states.

“So, again, just to say that it is a tremendous honour and pleasure to meet with you and to congratulate you on your serving now for almost a whole year as the Maltina Teacher of the Year.

“To say that I hope and pray that you will do even more, achieve even more, attain even more and that you will not be discouraged.

“You won’t be distracted and that God will help you as you help so many others,” he ended.

(NAN)