The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has disclosed plans by his administration for the extension of the service years of teachers in the State.
To achieve this, the governor has forwarded the Harmonised Retirement Age Bill for the extension of retirement age for teachers in the State to the Edo House of Assembly (EDHA).
Obaseki revealed this when he addressed teachers at the 2023 Teachers’ Day ceremony held at the Conference Hall of Teachers House in Siluko Road, Benin City.
The bill, he said, is to harmonise the present service and retirement age of teachers, which provides for the extension of the service years from 30 to 35 years and retirement age from 60 to 65 years, noting that as soon as the House passes the bill into law his administration will commence its implementation with immediate effect.
According to him, “As per release of approval letters for a harmonised retirement age for teachers, I don’t see why you should worry. I will not say something that I will not do?
“This is an issue of law. I have sent a bill to the House of Assembly to pass it into law and domesticate it and as soon as I get it from the House of Assembly, I will begin to implement it.”
The governor commended the teachers for their commitment to the education sector of the state and implementing the policies of the administration with due diligence, with special reference to the EdoBest policy, which he said has been hugely successful and acclaimed globally.
To this end, he said his administration has the interest of the teachers at heart as they have done well to develop the education sector as the foundation for the accelerated growth of the State, stressing that he would continue to do all within his powers to ensure that their welfare is placed on the first charge in the State.
The governor also promised the teachers that his administration will pay them half of their December salaries in addition to the full month’s salaries, alongside the 13th month promised Edo State workers.
“Teachers say I should give them palliatives or gifts for today. I have already promised all workers in Edo State that you will get your 13th month salaries this year. What I will add as a gift to celebrate the teachers because of the World teachers’ day celebration is that, all the teachers will get an additional half a month bonus,” he said.
