By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Public school teachers, federal and state, are now to retire at the age of 65 or after 40 years’ service, beginning from January 2021, sequel to the approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of the implementation of the new bill.
President Muhammadu Buhari mooted the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers Bill last year, which increases the retirement age for teachers from the civil service standard of 60 years, and the years of service from 35 years – whichever occurs first.
Even without the bill becoming law yet, the FEC approved its implementation from January 1, 2021, according to the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, Sonny Echono.
The bill also introduces bursary award, special rural posting allowances, science teachers’ allowance, and other measures to attract the best brains to the profession.
Education Minister Adamu Adamu told journalists after the FEC meeting that the bill would be sent to the National Assembly (NASS) for the legislative process before it could become law.
His words: “This memo that was approved for the Ministry of Education is a giant step towards what we set out to do last year, with the approval of some special packages for teachers by the president.
“So, at the meeting today, Council approved that a bill which will be called Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Bill 2020 be sent to the National Assembly for enactment into law so that all the promises made by the president and all the approvals he had given to me will now begin to be put into effect because this is the legal backing that is required for it.
“The essence of the bill actually is to give legal backing for the approval of a new retirement age of 65 for teachers and then the service period being extended to 40 years.
“The intention is to attract the best brains to the teaching profession and for that, the president approved the reintroduction of bursary awards, improving teacher quality, funding teaching practice from TETFUND, the enhanced entry point for teachers.’’
However, Echono explained in a statement that the new retirement age and years of service are not automatic as “officers will be required to demonstrate fitness after medical examination and those found to be unfit will be advised to retire accordingly.”
He said this gesture is limited to education officers and teaching staff.