In commemoration of the 2017 World Teachers’ Day, the Nigeria Union of Teachers ( NUT) Enugu State chapter has called on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to, as a matter of urgency, recruit more teachers for the primary and secondary schools in the state.

The organisation noted that teachers are retiring yearly and that there is need for more hands to be employed to ensure adequate teaching and learning.

The teachers also called on the governor to embark on massive renovation of school buildings most of which are in dilapidated state.

State chairman of the NUT, Comrade Ozor Paul Nnaji, who raised the teachers concerns in his addressing to mark the occasion, commended the state government for the cordial relationship that exists between the government, the teachers union and the teachers, especially in the area of prompt payment of salaries and other entitlements, pointed out that there is need to government make haste to ensure that more teachers are recruited as well as renovate the dilapidated schools blocks for a better learning and teaching environment.

For instance, Nnaji pointed out that about six thousand teachers are required to see that education system does not collapse.

“We need about 6,000 teachers to ensure quality teaching and learning. The attendant effect of acute shortage of teachers in the school system cannot be over-emphasised,” he said.

In the area of renovation of schools, he continued: “While appreciating the efforts of government in this area, we have observed that there are still many schools that are dilapidated and unconducive for teaching and learning. We request the various education boards to compile lists of such schools and bring to the attention of the state government.”

Highlights of the occasion included the award of merits to deserving individuals such as the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Chief Mrs. Cecilia Ezilo. She was awarded for excellent performance and for hard work.

Also feted include the Vice Chancellor of Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, Prof. Christian Anieke, as well as Archbishop Emmanuel Olisa Chukwuma of the Enugu Anglican Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Enugu Diocese.

The deputy governor, Ezeilo, who represented Governor Ugwuanyi at the occasion, made donation of exercise books to be distributed to schools as part of the government gesture to encourage teaching and learning in the state.