Post Primary Schools Board Debunks Rumours Of Vouchers Rejection, Over-Stepping, Non-promotions

From Amos Odeh, Yenagoa

Members of Academic staff of Post Primary Schools have been assured and reiterated of the premium and importance the state governor, Seriake Dickson attaches to the welfare of teachers and would continue to implement incentives that would motivate them to put in their best, as teachers have continued to be prized as the foundation of any nation.

“Without teachers, we would not have people to man our ministries, teachers are role models who groom the present generation and future generations, ” she said.

The Executive Chairman of the Bayelsa State Post Primary School Board Dr. Asiam Blessing Ikuru spoke on the sideline of protesting members of Association Academic Staff of post Secondary Schools led by its Spokesman, Comrade Peletiri Jerry  who besieged her office to inundate her with myriads of complaints and demands , that if not attended to will soon derail the cordial relationship that have existing between the state government and teachers.

According to Dr. Ikuru who also is an educationist, said as professional teacher, invariably anything that affects teachers affects her, hence the board under her watch is poised to fight for the interest of teachers and denied ever receiving any letter directing her not to pay their salaries and sundry entitlements.

She admonished the protesters to disabuse their minds from unfounded allegations which they claimed had gone viral, stressing that before embarking  on any protest they need to  be armed with current figures and facts, but now that they have raised a lot of issues, they will be communicated to His Excellency for prompt action who assured her during her inauguration that education is his priority, who frowns at indiscriminate award of salaries, grade level and overstepping. ” There is no way we can conduct another exercise, we have done it and it’s result are in the Internet for everybody to access, ” she said.

On the recent overstepping by Dr. Josephine Igodo led Verification Committee, she said that exercise has been concluded as any attempt to revisit it will amount to another crisis and promised to address all issues concerning promotions and the timetable to that effect will be released soon.

“We are aware that our teachers deserve motivation and promotions motivate teachers to impart knowledge. That will be done before the end of November 2018, you will hear from us ” she assured. Also ”  The governor has given us that special preference and directed that we don’t hesitate to inform him of any noticeable anomalies that portend danger to education. My boss, His Excellency the talk – Na – do – governor of Bayelsa state ” your Association is our friend and we will continue to support it.

She also assured them the issue of 18 percent minimum wage arrears is receiving attention and commended the Association for the peaceful protest, saying ever since she has been interfacing with the only Executive members and overwhelmed with its membership strength.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Association of Non – Academic Staff of Post-primary schools, Comrade Peletiri Jerry posited that his association has been on the  forefront  clamor for independent recognition distinct from Nigerian Union of Teachers ( NUT ) had complained of sundry deductions by principals in the guise  of postings urging that such deductions be paid into the teachers account directly. They, therefore, want their salaries be paid directly to them instead of through principals who extort them in the guise of money transfers. They also called on government to pay them their government approved  #18 .000 salary arrears.

All of these they alleged were unpalatable injustices that need to be looked into and frown at the recent attempt by Dr. Josephine Igodo – led verification to conduct another exercise whereas the Board had verified the teachers.” We would not be intimidated and we can’t be deprived” he said. They have bought the Aper Forms and wondered why promotion interviews were not conducted. they Also rejected any deductions without their consultation, especially the “NUT Special ” we are not comfortable with these anomalies being perpetrated by NUT in the state.

The group commended the Board Chairman and its members for restoring some anomalies which over time had created problems, which successive Board Chairmen could not solve,  but today, they see a courageous and committed board that is always proactive to teachers needs.

Adding that they look up to the Board as their only hope that is ready to listen and respond to their demands, because it is not only made of a professional Board Chairman but surrounded with Board members that are thoroughly bred educationists that have paid their dues working assiduously to move education to the next level.