Funmi Olaitan, Ibadan

Registrar of Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), Mr Segun Ajiboye, has said the sum of N100million has been set aside for teachers’ welfare in 2018.

Ajiboye who made the disclosure while speaking with journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, said this amount which has been included in the 2018 budget is to appreciate teachers in the country.

The TRCN boss who said teachers must the appreciated for their contributions to the growth of Nigeria and for their worth frowned at states owing teachers’ salaries.

While noting that there is no way a teacher who is not paid and denied of his entitlements would be committed or give his or her best to teaching, he charged debtor-governors to ensure that the welfare of teachers is attended to owing to the critical role of moulding future leaders which they occupy.

Speaking on competency tests being organised by governors for teachers, Ajiboye maintained that teachers in the country are not afraid of competency tests, stating that Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) has said it would participate in such tests as organised by TRCN which is the regulatory body empowered to do so.

Ajiboye who vowed to revolutionise the teaching profession, said the council has been contracted by Kaduna State governor to organise tests for teachers in its secondary schools as the agreement on this is being finalised.

He however expressed worries and sadness at the kidnap of over 100 pupils in Dapchi, Yobe State by suspected insurgents, calling on government to enhance security for teachers and pupils in terror zones.

He said, “TRCN has become a household name. When I took over the TRCN website was down. Now the website is perfectly functional and interactive. To appreciate our teachers, we have set aside the sum of N100million in 2018 budget to do that. Teachers must be appreciated for their contributions. This is why it saddens one to see states owing teachers. Debtor-states should pay teachers their dues.

"Teachers who receive no payment cannot give their best to teaching. TRCN certificate has become one of the criteria for being engaged as teacher nationwide showing the embrace of TRCN nationwide. The collaboration we enjoy from the NUT and others have been a strong pillar for TRCN. I am not happy at the killing of teachers and abductions of pupils in terror zone. I appeal to the Federal Government to increase security for education communities in terror zones so as not to engender fear in the heart of those genuinely interested in learning and doing their job.”