By Sunday Apah
The Delta State Local Government Joint Account Committee (JAC) on Wednesday unanimously approved Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s landmark decision to elevate the career progression of graduate primary school teachers from Grade Level 14 to Grade Level 17.
This move is set to significantly boost morale and enhance the quality of basic education across the state.
The approval came during a JAC meeting in Asaba, attended by key stakeholders including the Commissioner for Primary Education, Mrs. Rose Ezewu; the Commissioner for the Directorate of Local Government Affairs, Hon. Kelly Penawou; and the Chairman of the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Hon. Samuel Mariere, alongside local government council chairmen.
Speaking after the meeting, Mrs. Ezewu hailed Governor Oborevwori’s approval as a major uplift for the teaching profession within the state’s basic education sector.
She emphasized that this decision renews confidence among primary school teachers and underscores the administration’s commitment to improving their welfare.
“This decision will encourage more qualified professionals to seek employment in public primary schools, as teachers will no longer see their career progression ending at Grade Level 14,” Ezewu stated.
She lauded Governor Oborevwori for fulfilling a long-standing aspiration of primary school teachers, aligning the gesture with the administration’s MORE Agenda, which aims to enhance opportunities and improve public service delivery.
The Commissioner also extended gratitude to various stakeholders, including the Commissioner for the Directorate of Local Government Affairs, SUBEB officials, the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), and local government council chairmen, for their support in actualizing this initiative.
She believes the promotion will significantly improve teaching and learning outcomes by boosting morale and strengthening commitment.
However, Ezewu urged graduate teachers to justify the confidence reposed in them through improved performance.
She stressed that the new career progression comes with greater responsibility, emphasizing diligent preparation of schemes of work and lesson notes to ensure effective knowledge transfer.
Quoting the popular saying, “to whom much is given, much is expected,” she called for the elimination of complacency and a renewed spirit of professionalism.
In his remarks, Hon. Kelly Penawou commended Governor Oborevwori for his administration’s support to local governments, noting that ongoing reforms have significantly improved councils’ financial capacity for prompt salary payments and developmental projects.
He attributed the visible progress in local government infrastructure to enhanced funding and strengthened grassroots governance.
Hon. Samuel Mariere, SUBEB Chairman, explained that while the National Certificate in Education (NCE) has traditionally been the minimum qualification for primary school teachers, the need to improve learning outcomes necessitates encouraging the recruitment and retention of graduate teachers.
He noted that these graduates will now enjoy career progression up to Grade Level 17, a significant increase from the previous ceiling of Grade Level 14.
Mariere applauded JAC members for their unanimous ratification, describing it as a demonstration of their shared commitment to educational development.
He believes this approval will not only motivate existing graduate teachers but also pave the way for recruiting more degree holders into the state’s primary school system, aligning with Governor Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda.
Echoing these sentiments, Chief Isaiah Esiovwa, Delta State Chairman of ALGON and Okpe Local Government Council Chairman; Comrade Poubeni Dickson, NUT Chairman; and Hon. Joseph Otirhue, Chairman of the Local Government Service Commission, all applauded Governor Oborevwori for the landmark decision.
They expressed confidence that this initiative will ultimately lead to better teaching standards and improved learning outcomes for pupils in Delta State’s public primary schools.
