The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, Kogi chapter, says 2,871 additional teachers are needed to fill the gaps in secondary schools in the state.

The association urged Governor Ahmed Ododo to approve the recruitment of 2,871 teachers to address the deficit.

Emejeh Ogwu, ASUSS chairman, said this at the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Lokoja. Mr Ogwu said that the dearth of teachers in secondary schools was already negatively impacting the state’s educational development and standards.

According to him, in the last employment, the Kogi government had only 1,108 teachers who were recruited.

“We will never stop appreciating the state government for the recruitment of 1,108 teachers in 2023 out of the 3,979 teachers actually approved for employment by the immediate past administration of Alhaji Yahaya Bello.

“We want to put it on record that at the time the above number of teachers were recruited, public secondary schools in Kogi were in dire need of 9,948 teachers.

“Between the time of the approval and now, the situation has even become more critical as a result of death, retirement, and the movement of teachers to areas where pastures are greener,” Mr Ogwu said.

The ASUSS chairman appealed to the federal government to take further steps to strengthen the naira, thereby reducing the prices of basic commodities and enhancing the real value of teachers’ take-home pay.

He said that the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration provided an opportunity for the teachers to reflect on the support they need to fully deploy their talents and vocation and to rethink the way forward for the advancement of the teaching profession globally.

He also appealed to the state government to pay leave bonuses to affected teachers and effect the harmonisation of pension payments for retirees. 

The ASUSS chairman lamented the deplorable state of infrastructure in most secondary schools and urged the government to extend its infrastructural development to secondary schools.

He also appealed to the government to consider implementing a revolving motorcycle loan scheme for secondary school teachers to enhance their mobility. 

The ASUSS chairman, however, appreciated the state government for its efforts in promptly paying teachers’ salaries and pensions, as well as implementing the minimum wage.

In his goodwill message, Onu Johnson-Edoka, special adviser to the governor on labour matters, expressed gratitude to secondary school teachers, acknowledging their significant contributions to the country.

(NAN)