Recognizing the ingenuity of teachers and their contributions to societal growth, Wife of the State Governor, Rev. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu joined teachers across the State to celebrate the 2024 World Teachers Day with the theme "Valuing Teacher Voices: Towards a New Social Contract for Education."
In her goodwill message, the Governor's Wife who was represented by the Senior Special Adviser Administration, Office of Wife of the Governor, Dr. Comfort Oko described teaching as a noble profession that births other professions.
She stated that with the impartation of knowledge, teaching bears fruits that will manifest and endure even when the teachers have retired and even passed on.
According to her, being a teacher herself, she is in collaboration with the State Ministry of Education to know the necessary area to give support to teachers and the school system, adding that as numerous as the challenges are, the State Government will address them gradually.
Representing the State Governor, the Commissioner for Education, Sen. Stephen Odey stated that teachers need to be "celebrated continuously following their indispensable role in mentorship of all categories of professions, vocations and every manner of academic discipline."
He explained that the State Government has a "penchant to prioritize education and its evolving reforms that will strategically arouse interest among professionals to progress steadily to the peak of their professions without any attendant stagnation and frustration."
Earlier in his address, the State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Cross River State Wing, Comrade Gregory Olayi, appreciated the State Government for innovations so far carried out aimed at providing desired teaching and learning environment and promoting job satisfaction and valuing the voices of teachers.
He however called on the State Government to look at the non-implementation of promotions since 2016; irregular promotion of teachers; irregularities in the payment of salaries to primary school teachers; lack of science laboratory and equipment; infrastructural decay in schools; among others.
The celebrations of the teachers day featured march past by the teachers and goodwill messages from individuals and groups in recognition of the important role teachers play in the development of the society.
Esther Okoi
