ASUSS Lauds Abiodun On OGUN TEACh Scheme

Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS) has lauded Governor Dapo Abiodun for intiating the Ogun State Teaching Experience Acquisition Channel (OGUN TEACh), a special intervention programme aimed at filling the existing vacancies in both public primary and secondary schools in the state

ASUSS gave the commendation in a letter formally presented by its State Chairman, Comrade Akeem Lasisi and other top officials of the union, to Abiodun on Wednesday at the Governor's office in Oke-mosan Abeokuta, the state capital

The State wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) had earlier in a recent chat with Edu-Biznews, condemned the voluntary teaching scheme,describing it as casualization of teaching profession 

But the State branch of ASUSS in the letter made available to Edu-Biznews, disagreed and  described the policy as timely intervention by the Dapo Abiodun's administration, considering the challenges posed by spate of retirement, deaths and number of teachers who left the teaching profession for other jobs, especially in the last eight years 

" ASUSS is more than pleased and grateful for this proactive and efficient policy after over nine years of seeming unemployment and inattention to the plight of Secondary Schools teachers as far as unhealthy workloads are concerned. TEACh is not only timely, it is a healthy, laudable, commendable and effective mechanism to ameliorate the challenges posed by the spate of retirements, deaths and job changes which have greeted our sector in the last eight years. We have been left with unprecedented and killing work schedules that snuffed lives out of our colleagues,"the union stated 

The union recalled that large number of teachers who are now on Grade levels 09 to 13, were recruited into the system by the State Teaching Service Commission, through similar initiative by the past Otunba Gbenga Daniel's administration between 2003 and 2009

ASUSS however appealed the State Government to review downward its two years period for the teaching scheme, by making it for just a period of one year after which they would be fully employed into the system while urging government to make the voluntary teaching scheme, a yearly excercise until the existing vacancies are fully occupied  

"We will be grateful if the TEACh beneficiaries do not have to spend TWO years before being fully employed or integrated into the system. One year period of internship is perfect as it will heighten their productivity, commitment, dedication and work-rate".

"We will appreciate it, if the TEACh programme becomes an annual policy till the government fills the existing vacancies in our Secondary Schools as we are the worst hit in terms of personnel loss"

The union strongly cautioned government against politicising the recruitment process into the teaching scheme, stressing the need to adhere strictly to the Quality Control mechanism that would produce only the best hands to join the existing teaching staff in public secondary schools in the state

"ASUSS appeals strongly that the recruitment/screening process should be devoid of political influence and partisanship which will not only kill quality but will mar due process, due diligence, and in the end compromise quality in terms of those recruited so that the best hands are finally selected. We do not wish that beneficiaries who will worsen our current situation will be added to the numbers. Quality control mechanism should not be tampered with", the union warned 

ASUSS while pledging its support to the Abiodun's administration committment to the development of the state, the union enjoined the State Government to motivate the existing teaching staff whose unpaid back log of leave allowances and deductions to cooperative societies  had subjected them to untold hardship

"We will be eternally grateful if the plight of the existing teachers in the employment of the Teaching Service Commission will be looked into vis-a-vis payments of back log of unpaid leave allowances, banks loans and cooperative societies' deductions done without delay as the situations occasioned by the failure of governments to pay these funds have brought unspeakable, untoward and unimaginable pains, aches and indeed deaths to our colleagues and the Union members are already losing faith in our leadership"

"ASUSS will continue to partner with your government in areas of mutual interest for the good of our colleagues, development of our dear state and the credibility of your government"