As schools (primary and secondary) resume in Cross River State, teachers are finding it difficult to carry out their duties due to the hike in petrol prices and transportation.
In a plea by Dr Mike Udam, a Classroom Teacher, the teachers are calling on Governor Bassey Otu, who is yet to implement the signed N70,000 minimum wage, to, as a matter of urgency, provide a special allowance of N20,000 for teachers in the state.
In a letter titled, ‘REQUEST FOR SPECIAL TRANSPORT ALLOWANCE FOR TEACHERS IN CROSS RIVER STATE,’ Udam wrote:
“Dear Senator Prince Bassey Otu,
I hope you are doing well. I am writing to bring to your attention a pressing issue faced by teachers in Cross River State, particularly regarding transportation challenges that significantly impact our ability to fulfil our educational responsibilities.
Economic Challenges
As we all know, the current economic climate has become increasingly difficult for many, and teachers are no exception. The rising costs have made it challenging for educators to commute to school consistently.
Manpower Shortages in Education
Moreover, our education sector is experiencing a serious shortage of manpower. It is vital that teachers are present every day when schools are open, as our students depend on us for their education and development.
The Need for a Special Transport Allowance
Given these circumstances, I propose that you approve a special transport allowance of N20,000 for all primary and secondary school teachers across the state. This allowance would greatly alleviate the financial burden on teachers, allowing us to focus on delivering high-quality lessons and achieving positive learning outcomes.
Current Financial Strain
For example, many teachers are currently spending approximately N2,000 daily for transportation, which amounts to N40,000 over a 20-day school month. This deduction from the salary of a Level 10 officer is simply unsustainable and detrimental to our well-being.
Alternative Suggestion
In alternative to the transport allowance, I kindly request your consideration for the implementation of teacher promotions in a single batch. The current batch-by-batch approach is inefficient and undermines the morale of educators, further harming the education sector.
I sincerely hope that you will consider this request with compassion and understanding. Supporting our teachers is crucial for the betterment of education in Cross River State.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Warm regards.”
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