Nigeria to Absorb 3,252 PTA Teachers into Federal Civil Service

Teachers employed by Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) in Nigeria's federal unity colleges, often referred to as "PTA Teachers," have become crucial to the educational system due to a decade-long halt in federal recruitment. These teachers, like Henry who has taught for 15 years on a N50,000 monthly stipend, combine their roles with private tutoring to make ends meet.

The reliance on PTA teachers has not been without its challenges. In some institutions, like Federal Government College, Ijanikin, Lagos, the disbursement of funds for these teachers has led to crises, including student suspensions and legal disputes over accountability for PTA levies. The issue of rising PTA levies, with some colleges charging up to N20,000 per term against a Federal Ministry of Education peg of N12,000, has also fueled friction and demands for financial transparency.

Recognizing the plight of these dedicated educators, Minister of Education Dr. Tunji Alausa has promised to address the issue. President Bola Tinubu has now approved the absorption of 3,252 long-serving PTA teachers into the Federal Civil Service. This decision is expected to alleviate the persistent teacher shortage in federal unity colleges and enhance the overall quality of education.

Minister Alausa announced the development, calling the presidential approval a "watershed" moment in the government's efforts to rebuild the education sector. The absorption, which will see teachers integrated into the mainstream public service after meeting statutory requirements, follows a thorough verification by an Inter-Ministerial Committee. The committee confirmed 3,252 eligible teachers across various cadres, including Education Officers, Assistant Education Officers, and Technical Instructors.

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the presidential approval as a watershed in the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to rebuild the nation’s education sector and strengthen the teaching workforce.