Lawmakers kick against non payment of teachers’ salary in Nasarawa

***summons Commissioners, AG, HOS, Salary Bureau

By Abel Daniel, Lafia

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly has summoned the state commissioners of education, Finance, Accountant General, Head of Civil Service and Director, Salary Bureau over non payment of Newly recruited teachers since last year.

This, the House said, was to enable them explain why the salary of the over 400 newly employed secondary school teachers were not paid three months after their engagement

Rt. Hon Ibrahim Balarabe Abdullahi, the Speaker of the House gave the directive after Hon. Daniel Oga Ogazi, the Chairman, House Committee on Education raised the issue on matters of Public Interest during the House proceedings on Wednesday in Lafia.
Abdullahi maintained that for the standard of education to be improved in the State, teachers must be encouraged, motivated and their salary paid promptly.

“First, let me appreciate Hon Daniel Ogazi for bringing this very important matter and other members for your contributions on this issue.

“Honestly what is happening in the education sector, particularly in the State is saddening. Teachers were employed in in November, 2021 and after three months, salary has not been paid.

“The State is not encouraging the teachers for them to give in their best, they must be encouraged through prompt payment of their salary .

“It is in view of this, we are inviting the State Commissioner of Education, Commissioner of Finance, Accountant General, Head of the Civil Service and Director Salary Bureau to appear before the House on Monday, Feb.21, 2022.

“Without salary of teachers, believe me we kill their morale, we need quality education for our children, you can’t keep teachers in hunger and expect them to give their best” the Speaker added.

Earlier, Hon Daniel Oga Ogazi (APC- Kokona East) who is Chairman, House Committee on Education while raising the motion said that it was disheartening that the newly employed teachers have not been paid.

“To ensure quality and good standard of education in the state, the newly employed teachers should be paid their salary.

“We must give topmost priority to the welfare of teachers if we want quality and standard education in the state,” he said.