The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) on Tuesday called on governors still owing teachers salary to use their remaining months in office to pay off the arrears.

The secretary-general of the union, Mike Ike-Ene, raised the concern in an interview ahead of World Teachers’ Day on October 5.

Mr Ike-Ene said many state governors owe primary school teachers and secondary schools months of salary arrears.

“Many of these teachers have lamented over the inability and irregularities of the state to pay their salaries as and when due following the current economic situation in the country.

“Some state governments owe primary school teachers a backlog of salaries ranging from four to 18 months,” he said.

He, however, commended the state governors committed to paying teachers’ salaries as and when due.

The secretary-general encouraged teachers to keep working hard, not minding their salary scale.

He urged the government to provide an enabling environment for teachers to function optimally.

On the new salary scale for teachers, the secretary-general said the union and the federal government are still working towards its implementation.

Mr Ike-Ene said the new teachers’ retirement age from 60 to 65 years and 35 to 40 years of service had attained 90 per cent implementation.

“One of the biggest promises had been signed; the issue of 65 and 40 years, the increase of teachers’ service years or retirement age has been signed.

“The federal government has implemented it like some states, but the obstacle there is gazetting. Ever since the president signed it, it has become an act,” he said.

He, however, said gazetting the policy would give it a number and then it would be enshrined into law that one can make reference to.

Mr Ike-Ene, therefore, urged the government to expedite action on the gazette as that might be the only way the union could engage the state governments to do the needful.

He also called for an upward review of the education budget, saying it was the only way the country would measure up with developed countries.

“Also, society needs to do more for the teachers, create initiatives to motivate teachers for effective service delivery,” he added.

(NAN)