Non-teaching staff protest discriminatory policies

Non-academic staff of educational and associated institutions in Niger and Anambra took to the streets of Minna to protest government policies that have allow teachers to retire at 65 or work 40 years in service.

Members of The Non-Academic Staff Union say the state’s policies are discriminatory and favour only academic staff.

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They mention hardship posting and rural posting allowances as incentives teachers get”

Members carried placards with various inscriptions. One of them: ‘Non-teaching staff are vital components that graduate students”.

Another read, “What is good for the teachers is also good for the non-teaching staff”, and another declared, “Is it a crime to be a non-teaching staff?”.

One said, “Discriminatory tendencies will destroy the school system’ among others.”

The protesters marched from the Minna City Gate to the State House of Assembly and later moved to the Head of Service’s office to press their demands.

Speaking during the protest, chairman of NASU at Niger State Univeral Basic Education Board, Muhammed Gimba, said, “We believe that the present policy statement which was made in favour of teachers and the federal executive council approval are genuine acts of an employer aimed at motivating an employee towards increased productivity with a view to providing quality education to our children as envisaged in the constitution.

“Our problem with the approval was the discrimination against the non- teaching professionals and support staff in education sub-sector. Moreover, it is lacking in fairness equity, good conscience and natural justice for the reason that teachers are not only workers I the basic and foundation sub-sector of the education sector. Teaches work with quite a diverse range of non-teaching professionals and support personnel.

Gimba noted that even though they conceded that teaching is central to schools, it is also obvious that a positive congenial, safe and healthy working environment conducive for teaching and learning is also important which teachers alone cannot provide and guarantee.

He added that attention of the president and minister of education have been drawn to the discriminatory aspect of the police and urged other stakeholders in the education sector to take note.

Addressing the protesters, Husseini Yabagi, lawmaker representing Gbako Constituency in the state assembly, pledged the house would look into their demands.

The Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Bill 2021 is coming up against growing opposition.

In Anambra, protesters went to the Government House carrying placards.

Addressing the protesters at the Government House, Awka, the State chairman  NASU,  Nwafor Humphrey, said that since the announcement by President Buhari the non teaching staff have been pushing for their inclusion in the new condition of service.

“But it appears that the FG has forgotten us. We have been making efforts to see that the President also includes non-teaching staff. But now a Bill is about to be passed to the National Assembly for consideration and that is why we considered that we have to come out in Anambra state to join the national body and make our demands known to the State government and State Assembly.

“Already, letters have been sent by the leadership of NASU in the State to the State Assembly, Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board and the State Post Primary School Service Commission.

“So, we are where to hold this rally to tell the World about the welfare of the non-teaching staff in the country.”

Also speaking at the protest,  Mike Iriaka, who appealed  to the federal government to include the Non-Teaching staff in the approved Special Teacher Pension Scheme to guarantee better welfare for them in retirement and also extend their retirement age to 65 years and length of service to 40 years.