The Federal Government spent about N10.3 billion to train 229, 286 basic education teachers in 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), President Muhammadu Buhari said on Thursday.
He said the funds were for the development and capacity building of primary and secondary school teachers across the country within the last two years.
President Buhari stated these at the 2017 World Teachers’ Day in Abuja.
Buhari, who was represented by Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said the funds were made available under the Teacher Development Programme (TDP) of the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEC).
The President said: “In 2015, more than N5.9billion of the 2014 TDP fund was utilized to build the capacity of 229, 286 basic education teachers in 36 states and FCT.
“The areas where the capacities of teachers were built included numeracy, literacy, phonics, pedagogy and professional conduct, among others.
“On-the-job capacity of 132,682 teachers was enhanced in 2016 by investing more than N4.4 billion of 2015 TPD fund in teacher-training.”
Buhari, who commended the teachers’ efforts in developing Nigeria, said his administration has put in place several measures to motivate teachers, including the provision of a brand new car for teacher of the year.
In his remarks at the event, National president, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Michael Alogba, commended the Federal Government over its continued support to teachers.
He, however, expressed concerns over the issue of unpaid teachers’ salaries in 17 states.
He also lamented the recruitment of non-professional teachers under the Federal Government N-Power Teaching Programme to teach in schools.
“Mr. President Sir, permit me to draw your attention to the plight of primary and secondary school teachers across the country, resulting from the non-payment of their salaries and allowances for several months despite the bail-out funds and Paris Club refunds made available to states by Federal Government.
“As at the end of September, primary and secondary school teachers were owed two to 11 months salaries in 17 states in the country.
“Worse still, some state governments have since adopted the inhuman act of paying monthly salaries in fractions, without any guarantee that the remaining part of the salaries will be paid to the teachers,” Olukoya-Alogba said.