By Funmilayo Adeyemi, News Agency of Nigeria, Abuja
The Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria (SSUCOEN) on Thursday, called for strengthened educational institutions in Nigeria, as well as teacher education, so as to promote national development.
The union made the call in a communiqué issued to newsmen in Abuja, jointly signed by its National President, Danladi Msheliza, and its National Secretary, Nwenyi Leo.
The communiqué represent outcomes from the union’s 41st National Delegates’ Conference held at the Federal College of Education (Technical), Omoku, Rivers State.
They expressed concerns over poor funding for tertiary education as well as the neglect of teacher training institutions, which they said had led to a decline in the quality of education.
“The Conference, observed with great concern the continued decline in the funding of tertiary education and the neglect of the place of teacher education to national development.
“This development has led to the near collapse of both the quality and standard of the nation’s educational sector.
” Delegates therefore, urges the government at all levels to improve funding for the educational sector and to be intentional about addressing the plight of teacher education with a view to retaining the best brains in the sector,” he said.
The union also appealed to the federal government to conclude the renegotiation of the 2010 FGN/Union agreement.
Meanwhile, the union commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, for the recent ban on the frequent conversion of Colleges of Education to universities.
They described the decision as beng timely and compliant with the Federal Colleges of Education (Amendment) Act 2023, which empowered colleges to award NCE and B.Ed degrees without affiliation.
They also applauded efforts by the Minister of Education and other federal bodies towards mainstreaming staff of demonstration schools in Colleges of Education.
They urged the Budget Office and Office of the Accountant General to ensure that their salaries were reflected in the 2026 budget.
Besides, they expressed displeasure over outstanding payments owed to staff, including the N35,000 wage award, the new N70,000 national minimum wage, and 12 months’ arrears of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increases.
The union, consequently, urged payment of these arrears in full and not by installments.
In the same vein, the union lamented the high inflation rates as well as the declining value of the naira, which they said had affected workers’ purchasing power.
They urged the Federal Government to take drastic measures to cushion the situation.
On matters of insecurity, the Union decried the rising cases of kidnapping, terrorism, and attacks by armed gangs.
They also called on the federal government to adopt strict policies, and adequately equip security agencies to safeguard lives and properties.
SSUCOEN urged the federal and state government to urgently rehabilitate major highways heavily relied upon by commuters. (NAN)
