Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has ordered the re-engagement of teachers who were disengaged or retired at age 60 but are yet to attain the new retirement age of 65.

Otti gave the directive on Monday during activities marking the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Umuahia, while responding to demands presented by the State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Madu ChukwuJekwu.

The governor said his administration had earlier approved the extension of the retirement age for teachers from 60 to 65 years, adding that those affected by the previous retirement age should be returned to service.

“I am surprised that that matter is still outstanding. I want to give instructions from this year, Honourable Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, that anybody who is less than 65 years of age, if they have been disengaged, you must return them back,” he said.

Describing his administration as one committed to fairness and transparency, said, “I have given the approval from here. Please bring all of them back. Even if it is six months before retirement, bring them back.”

Otti also directed the payment of all outstanding check-off dues owed teachers within seven days.

He said teachers whose salaries had been delayed because of verification issues should be paid by the end of October, while salaries owed the 4,075 newly recruited teachers who had not been paid should be settled before the end of the month.

On outstanding promotions for 2021 and 2022, the governor directed the Abia State Universal Basic Education Board to harmonise the process with the State Head of Service and submit it to him for approval.

He ordered that the exercise be completed by the end of October.

Speaking on the administration’s education reforms, Otti said the development of smart schools was intended to complement rather than replace conventional education.

“The whole idea is not to supplant traditional education, but to make the future of education available to our children. They can always have a choice,” he said.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Goodluck Ubochi, said the 2026 World Teachers’ Day theme highlighted the role of teachers in shaping society and assured teachers that education remained a priority of the state government.

The NUT chairman, ChukwuJekwu, commended the administration for what he described as efforts to reposition the education sector, including the recruitment of more than 9,000 teachers, payment of salary arrears owed by previous administrations and regular payment of salaries.

He also cited the allocation of 20 per cent of the annual budget to education among the administration’s achievements.

ChukwuJekwu, however, drew the governor’s attention to challenges facing teachers in the state and expressed confidence that they would be addressed. (PUNCH)

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