By Joan Nwagwu
The Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria (SSUCOEN) has urged state governors to domesticate the 2023 Act establishing Colleges of Education (CoE).
The union specifically expressed concern about the Dual Mandate of concurrent running of NCE and Bachelor’s degrees in Education.
This was contained in a communique
issued at the end of its national delegates conference held at Federal College of Education Special in Oyo State on Friday in Abuja.
The communique was signed by SSUCOEN President, Mr Danladi Msheliza and the National Secretary, Mr Nwenyi Isioma.
“Delegates in session solicited the immediate domestication of the 2023 Act by various state governments in Nigeria.
“They should take advantage of the provisions, especially the Dual Mandate of concurrent running of NCE and Bachelor’s degrees in Education.
“Delegates in session expressed this concerns as a result of the experiences encountered when the 65 years retirement age was approved in 2010 and implemented by Federal Colleges of Education,” the union said.
It said that the delegates noted with great dismay that some state governments were yet to implement the 65 years retirement age for their workers.
“Therefore, the conference calls on the state governments concerned to commence the processes of domestication of the two laws,
“This is, especially, the provisions of the 65 years of retirement age and dual mandate, in the interest of the staff and the students,”it said.
It also urged both the federal and state governments in Nigeria to prioritise the education sector by increasing budgetary allocation in line with the UNESCO Convention.
It further said that the education sector had been plagued by chronic underfunding for too long, which has resulted in inadequate infrastructure, outdated learning resources and insufficient personnel in schools and tertiary institutions.
The union said that deliberate actions should be taken towards the development.
It also recommended payments of attractive allowances to workers in the Teacher’s Training Institutions to attract high fliers to the profession.
It, however, condemned the avoidable challenges its members had been experiencing since the commencement of payment of salaries on the GIFMIS platform.
“It has become more apparent that staff salaries are being delayed gravely; remittances of third-party deductions (Union check-off dues and cooperative/welfare deductions) are being made haphazardly and suffering prolonged delays.
“In addition, it has been observed that there are no columns to accommodate certain allowances, such as overtime, shift duty, among others for staff outside the CONHESS and CONMESS,”it said.
The union also urged the government to immediately commence payment of the minimum wage arrears; 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increment arrears; wage award arrears, among others.
