By PHILIP YATAI

The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) has called on the Federal and State governments to urgently institute a Special Teachers’ Salary Structure (STSS) to save the teaching profession from decline.

National President of the union, Mr Sola Adigun, made the call in Abuja on Monday, at the first joint national celebration of World Teachers’ Day, organised by ASUSS.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was celebrated with the theme, “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping our Futures.”

Adigun said that the event coincided with the union’s 3rd Annual National Workshop, themed “The Impact of Ethics and Attitudinal Change in Managerial Leadership.”

He said that the new salary structure should recognise the unique demands of the teaching profession, by rewarding experience and make teaching an attractive career for young graduates.

“Across the federation, the remuneration and conditions of service of teachers do not adequately reflect the enormous responsibilities placed upon these professionals.

“We therefore call for a salary structure that recognises the special nature of teaching as a profession; rewards experience and qualifications; recognises professional competence, and provides meaningful opportunities for career progression.

“We want a structure that will make young Nigerians look at teaching and confidently say: ‘This is a profession in which I can build a rewarding future’,” he said.

He also called for a brain retention policy in the teaching profession to attract top-tier talent to Nigerian classrooms.

According to him, formulating competitive incentives, professional development opportunities, and rural posting allowances will attract and retain high-performing graduates in the classroom.

The president also called for an unconditional implementation of the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022 across the 36 states without administrative barriers or selective compliance.

He called on state governments to act fairly, abide by court decisions regarding union representation, and join hands with educators to secure the future of Nigerian education through concrete actions rather than ceremonial rhetoric.

He equally called for a holistic overhaul of learning environments, equipping urban and rural schools alike with modern classrooms, functional ICT labs, electricity, safe water and well-stocked libraries.

“Governments at all levels must also ensure that teachers are actively consulted during policy formulation and respecting court rulings that guarantee secondary school teachers the right to belong to ASUSS.

“We also call for continuous training, digital skill acquisition, and ethical managerial leadership within school and union structures,” he added.

Adigun stressed that annual praises and symbolic celebrations were no longer enough to address the severe challenges confronting secondary school educators across the country.

He noted that six decades after the 1966 ILO/UNESCO recommendation concerning the status of teachers, Nigeria must confront the fundamental question of how it treats its educators.

“Every year, we celebrate teachers. We present awards, make speeches, take photographs, and publish goodwill messages—and then the celebration ends while the challenges remain.

“Teachers do not need appreciation alone; they need action,” he said.

The president stressed that teachers are nation-builders who shape every other sector of the economy.

He explained that from doctors and lawyers to engineers and politicians, every professional passes through the hands of a teacher, making investment in educators a direct investment in the nation’s future.

“The teacher does not merely teach Mathematics, English, Biology, History or Government. The teacher shapes minds, builds character, discovers talent, nurtures potential, inspires hope and prepares the next generation of leaders.

“When we invest in teachers, we are investing in Nigeria’s future. Conversely, when we neglect teachers, we compromise the future of Nigeria,” he said.

Addressing union members and delegates, Adigun reminded teachers that while demanding better welfare and conditions of service, they must also uphold high ethical standards, embrace modern digital tools, and protect their students. (NAN)

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