Nigerian teachers plead for extension of retirement age

By Akeem Alao

The Enugu State chapter of the Association of Primary School Head Teachers of Nigeria (AOPSHON) has agitated an extension of members’ service retirement age from 60 years to 65 years.

Disclosing this in Enugu at the weekend, Chairman of the association, Mr Chilotanwa Okoli, stated that it was necessary that the state government review the teachers’ service duration to 40 years.

He added that the teachers service duration and retirement age should be at par with lecturers in the universities.

“We all know that the experiences and competencies of teachers increase with years of service and age,” he explained.

“Therefore, increase in the number of years will be of immense benefit to our school children,’’ he noted.

While leveraging the avenue to agitate for the elevation of the position of Principal or Head Teachers in the state to Grade Level 17, Okoli contended that some states had started promoting their teachers to the highest grade level, stressing that Enugu State should follow suit.

He also requested the appointment of more teachers as special assistants, personal assistants, executive assistants and permanent secretaries in the state.

“This will evidently avail the state government the opportunity to tap from their rich experiences of our teachers,’’ he said.

The association’s chairman commended the government for paying 13th month of basic salaries to civil servants in the state in 2017 and 2018.

“On behalf of head teachers, I hereby plead that this magnanimity be extended to the teachers in the primary school.

“There is no doubt that the gesture will boost their morale and increase their productivity,’’ Okoli said.