NUT grounds Anambra over Primary school teachers salary when local government gets autonomy

www.odogwublog.com reports that the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Anambra state wing today grounded Awka in a peaceful protest over the funding and management of primary education under an autonomous local government system.
The teachers also demanded for increase in the retirement age of primary school teachers from 60 years to 65 years.
Addressing the teachers, the national President of NUT, Mr Micheal Olukoya said they were not against autonomy of the local government but how the primary school system would managed under the new dispensation.
The presidents message, which was read by the chairman the union in Anambra state, Mr Ifeanyi Ofodile, lamented the continuous decay of the primary school system under the local government councils throughout the country,and demanded that state governments should take over the management as well as, the remuneration of their teachers.
“The importance of education cannot be over emphasized in any society, primary education in particular constitutes the fundamental
“It is ironical and distressingly painful that this all important stratum of our educational system has suffered untold neglect and underfunding without adequate motivation for teachers.
“The renewed agitation for local government autonomy has made it imperative for NUT to sensitise stakeholders and general public on the dangers inherent in handing over the affairs of primary education to local government councils,” he said.
The NUT also advocated an upward review of federation account to states to enable them discharge their constitutional responsibility effectively.
On the welfare of teachers in Anambra state, Ofodile lauded Gov.Willie Obiano who neither owed them nor placed them on shortfall.
Ofordile said teachers in the state would continue reciprocate by supporting Obiano through effective implementation of laudable educational policies.
The teachers matched through the major Streets and roads in Awka, blocking vehicler movement, bearing placards,with inscriptions to press home their demands.