Buhari says FG ready to employ more teachers

Buhari says FG ready to employ more teachers to increase teacher-pupil ratio in primary school

N-Power Teach Volunteers scheme under NSIP – a FG programme – addressing shortage of teachers.

Teachers shape characters and are key to cultivating innovative and inventive skills in young people

President Mohammadu Buhari says the Federal Government is ready to engage more qualified teachers to increase the teacher-to-pupil ratio in the country.

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The president disclosed this when he received the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Tuesday.

Buhari agreed that Nigeria had a shortage of teachers, which his administration had been resolving through the N-Power Teach Volunteers Scheme under the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP).

He hinted that they had created a steadfast platform under the National Social Investment Programme called N-Power Teach, which engages qualified graduates who are deployed as assistants in primary schools across Nigeria to support existing teachers as they fill the gaps of basic education delivery in Nigeria.

The President further stated that the aim of the scheme, and many other government programmes, is to increase the teacher-student ratio at the primary school level thereby enhancing the quality of education as students transit to secondary schools.

He further asked all members of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to support these programmes and encourage as many qualified and willing graduates to enrol in the teaching profession, while describing the teaching profession as one of the noblest professions.

President Buhari described teaching as a profession that shapes character, calibre and future individuals and nations.

He used the opportunity to pay tribute to teachers, noting that they had been at the forefront of cultivating young minds to be innovative and inventive.

He said, ‘‘Today, we live in a dynamic world where science and technology drives innovations that virtually touch every aspect of our lives.

He added that the foundations of our today’s changes can be accredited to teachers who, decades ago, in one way or another, shaped the minds of young people who eventually grew to become global innovators and inventors from whose works we are benefiting today.