By Jumoke Olaitan
The National Parent Teacher Association of Nigeria (NAPTAN) has commended the Federal Government for commencing the recruitment of Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) teachers into the formal teaching system.
Prof. Boniface Odeh, President of NAPTAN, gave the commendation in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.
Odeh said the initiative was a welcome development that addressed one of the association’s longstanding requests to the federal and state governments to absorb qualified PTA teachers into the formal teaching system.
“On behalf of NAPTAN, we express our profound gratitude to the administration of President Bola Tinubu for the announcement and commencement of the Federal Government PTA Teachers Recruitment Programme.
“This laudable exercise, under the leadership of President Tinubu and the supervision of the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, is a welcome development that directly addresses one of our longstanding requests to both the federal and state Governments,” he said.
The NAPTAN president said PTA teachers had for years supported teaching and learning in schools, despite receiving limited recognition.
He said the recruitment exercise would provide opportunities for qualified teachers while strengthening basic education in the country.
“For years, PTA teachers have carried the burden of supporting teaching and learning in our schools with little recognition.
“By creating this pathway for qualified and passionate teachers, the federal government has not only given hope to thousands of educators, but has also strengthened the foundation of basic education in Nigeria,” Odeh said.
He said the initiative demonstrated the government’s commitment to quality education, job creation and improved support for parents and communities.
Odeh expressed confidence that the programme would improve teachers’ welfare, reduce shortages in classrooms and raise the standard of learning for Nigerian children.
He, however, called for transparency and merit in the recruitment process, urging the government to extend the exercise to all states.
“We urge that the recruitment process be transparent, merit-based and extended to all states to ensure that no qualified teacher is left behind,” he said.
Odeh assured the Federal Government of NAPTAN’s continued partnership and support as a key stakeholder in the education sector.
He thanked President Tinubu and the Federal Ministry of Education for responding to the concerns of parents and supporting measures aimed at improving education delivery nationwide.
“This is truly governance that puts the people and our children first,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the federal government approved the recruitment of 3,252 verified Parent-Teacher Association teachers into the federal public service.
The approval would absorb educators who have taught in Unity and Technical Colleges across the country for up to 25 years without permanent government appointments.
Alausa who made the announcement had described it as a landmark intervention that addressed a persistent teacher shortage in Federal Unity Colleges. (NAN)
Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi