The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a bill extending the retirement age for teachers in the country from 60 years to 65 years.

The FEC, during its first meeting of the year 2021, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, on Wednesday, approved the bill; Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers Bill, 2021, to be sent to the National Assembly for its consideration and possible approval.

The bill also seeks to give legal backing to new measures by the current administration to enhance the teaching profession in the country.

If approved by the lawmakers, the retirement age of teachers will move from 60 years to 65 while the years of service will also move from 35 to 40.

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who disclosed this to correspondents at the end of the council meeting, said some highlights of the bill include the introduction of bursary award, special rural posting allowances and other measures to attract the best brains to the profession.