Govt Approves ‘Peculiar Allowance’ For Teachers.

Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State has approved the payment of 27.5 per cent Teachers Peculiar Allowance (TPA) to its workers.

The governor also approved the promotion of 58 secondary school teachers and members of staff of the Post Primary Education Board to salary grade level 17.

He also approved the promotion of university graduate teachers in primary schools from salary grade level 14 to level 15 and the promotion of primary and secondary school teachers, who were due for promotion in 2011 and 2012.

The approvals are contained in a letter from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education to the state wing of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Asaba yesterday.

The letter, Signed by the Commissioner, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, stated that the allowance and promotions took effect from January 1.

The letter, dated February 12, stated that the approvals were in line with the agreement between the state government and NUT.

The letter said the peculiar allowance would be paid to only those teachers registered with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria,

adding that henceforth, the promotion of teachers would be based on seniority, merit, vacancy and availability of funds.

“Henceforth, the promotion of teachers in primary and secondary schools, by their respective boards, will be consequential, based on seniority, merit, vacancy and ability to pay,” the letter stated.

It said the chairmen of the respective boards had been instructed to implement the approvals. “it is hoped that by this development, teachers will re-dedicate themselves to services of our school system in particular and the public at large.’’

Meanwhile, the Chairman of NUT in the state, Comrade Emmanuel Adhe, had acknowledged receipt of the letter, saying “all the vexed issues have been addressed.’’

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the union would, however, wait and see when actual implementation of the approval would commence.