Oct 7, 2019 9:24 AM

The Federal Government says free internet data will soon be provided to teachers to deepen access to knowledge as well as boost teaching activities across schools in the country.
Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, who stated this on Saturday at the 2019 World Teachers Day Celebration in Abuja, said the move would see to each teacher receiving one gigabyte of data on a monthly basis.
Adamu, represented by the Minister of State for Education, Hon. Emeka Nwajiuba, told jubilant teachers at the event that the Federal Government had already reached out to network providers on the plan.
His words : “The Federal Government is already working with a lot of the service providers in the country and the Ministry of Communication to champion and provide registered teachers with 1 GB data every month for the rest of your life, credited to your registered telephone to enable you access internet for your work.”
The minister revealed that mechanisms are also being put in place to enlist teachers into a life insurance scheme that would see not less than a million naira paid to members of their family in case of death.
Also speaking at the event which has its theme as ‘Young Teachers: The Future Of The Profession’, President Muhammadu Buhari said the Federal Government would leave no stone unturned in working out a special incentive for teachers in rural areas.
His said, “The Federal Government shall collaborate with state governments with a view to providing incentives to teachers especially in the rural areas with a view to encouraging young talents to the teaching profession.”
Represented by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami, President Buhari lauded Nigerian teachers for their contributions to nation’s building.
On his part, President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Muhammed Idris, said the theme of this year’s World Teachers Day celebration was aimed at drawing attention to the issue of teachers’ shortage and the challenges of attracting young people into teaching profession.
The NUT boss, who commended Federal Government for approving the establishment of National Secondary Education Commission, however, called for the payment of 27.5per cent professional allowance to teachers in Unity Schools.
Highpoint of the event, which attracted teachers from across the country, was presentation of five vehicles and other gifts to winners of President’s Teachers and School Excellence Award. Governor Godwin Obaseki was also presented an award as the best education friendly governor.
