Lagos to take decision on teachers’ retirement- Commissioner
Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Hon. Jamiu Alli-Balogun, said that the state government will soon determine the retirement age for its employed teachers.
However, that will be after due consultation with all stakeholders concerned.
He stated this on Tuesday, in Ikeja while briefing the press on the preparations of the state to host the 67th National Council on Education, NCE, Meeting.
Alli-Balogun, while answering questions, said the state government would never toy with the welfare of its teachers, but that things must be put in proper perspective.
Lagos, along with other states, has not yet endorsed the 65 years retirement age or 40 years of service for teachers, as outlined in the welfare scheme approved by the Muhammadu Buhari administration in 2020.
The commissioner also said technical and vocational education would be the focal point of the ministry.
“TVE is my mindset. We will leverage on that for the next four years. Vocational and skill centres will be scaled up and more technical and vocational colleges will be established. We want our youths to be fully prepared for the future. Also, in that respect, more computers will be provided in our schools. You can even teach Yoruba Language with the help of computer.
“On the step being taken to stem drug abuse and cultism, whenever I visit any school, I take the message to them. Drug abuse and cultism are interwoven. As a first step, all ghettoes near our schools are being demolished. This will help us get rid of marketers and seller of those illicit drugs.
We are also considering a law that will prohibit the setting up of drinking joints near our schools. That is a matter of law that we are going to work on,” he said.
On the proposal by some examinations bodies that computer-based test would be employed regarding some subjects, Alli-Balogun noted that for such to work effectively, a lot of planning would have to be done and many things taken into consideration.
He promised a great time for those coming for the NCE meeting.
