The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria has appealed to the federal government to promote more education officers in the Federal Ministry of Education.

The ASCSN President Shehu Mohammed and Secretary-General Joshua Apebo made the appeal in a statement on Thursday.

It expressed concerns at an analysis of a recent promotion carried out in the ministries, departments and agencies.

“We are surprised that in the entire FME with more than 6,000 employees across states in the federation, only 70 officers were promoted to the directorate level.

“For instance, only three deputy directors were elevated to the rank of directors; 14 assistant directors were promoted to deputy directors, while 53 officers were uplifted to the rank of assistant directors,” the union said.

The union also urged adequate funding of departments and presidential waivers for the FME to create vacancies, as done in 2013 so that stagnated officers could be promoted.

It said, “We believe that if these recommendations are implemented in the FME, there will be enough vacancies for senior civil servants to continue to rise to the directorate level.

“We urge the Presidency, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Federal Civil Service Commission, and the Office of Head of Civil Service of the Federation to intervene on this matter. They should ensure that education officers in the headquarters of the FME, those in the 110 federal government colleges, and the Federal Education Quality Assurance Service throughout the federation are promoted as and when due, like their counterparts in other MDAs. This is in the interest of justice, equity and fairness.”

The union, however, commended the government for elevating more senior civil servants to the directorate cadre.

(NAN)