BY Gbenga Ariyibi

Governor Kayode Fayemi and teachers in the state finally made peace yesterday after the governor announced the abolition of the controversial competency test and raised the Teachers Pecuniary Allowance.

In a reciprocity, the teachers union endorsed the governor’s re-election quest saying that teachers in the state had never had it so good.

State teachers had in 2012 rejected attempts by the authorities to make them participate in the competency tests organised by the state government which the administration said was packaged to strengthen the capacity of the state’s teaching service.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti yesterday during the sensitization programme organised by the state government on the State Education Programme Investment Project, SEPIP, Governor Fayemi said the test would be replaced with well structured capacity building programmes and administration of questionnaires to students.

These developments are coming barely two months after the state government commenced payment of car loans to primary school teachers in the state.

Speaking at the forum, Fayemi directed his deputy, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, to liaise with the leadership of the various teachers unions on the prompt implementation of the allowance.

The governor said “I want to thank all the teachers for their understanding in accepting the negotiated 16% of this allowance. In our various meetings, they were made to appreciate the lean resources of the State but saw our genuine willingness to meet their demands if we were in a position to do. I am happy to inform you that you will now have the remaining 11.5%”, Fayemi announced.

Commenting further on the abolition of the TDNA,  Fayemi hinted that the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology would embark on capacity building of teachers through cluster school training programmes, local and overseas training, seminar and workshops.

The Governor stated that the committee on the advancement of graduate teachers in public primary schools had recommended a parallel career scheme as obtainable in the Civil Service so as to enable NCE and degree holders have different career progression.

While reacting to a rumour that his government is compiling the list of workers for disengagement, Fayemi assured that his administration is not planning to sack teachers who have spent over 30 years in service.

He said he is not unaware of the politics being played by one of the candidates in the forthcoming election with the State’s performance in the last WAEC result, stressing that the 34th position claimed by the candidate is a farce which has no evidence.

The Governor also presented an 18-seater bus to the State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) as earlier requested by the Union.
Speaking on behalf of the teachers, the Chairman of NUT, Mr Kayode Akosile commended the Governor for acceding to implement the 27.5% pecuniary allowance despite the meager resources that accrue to the State.

The chairman who thanked Fayemi for fulfilling the promises he made to teachers on the provision of the bus and the upgrade of the status of teachers from level 16 to 17, assured that Ekiti teachers are solidly in support of the Governor’s re-election.

Akosile added that Ekiti teachers have not had it so good since the creation of this State.