Boost For Teaching Profession, As FEC Approves New Retirement Age |The Source

By Ayodele Oni

The first meeting of the Federal  Executive Council, (FEC), was held Wednesday.

The meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari approved a bill extending the retirement age for teachers in the country from 60 years to 65 years.

The bill, “Harmonized Retirement Age for Teachers, 2021”, would be sent to the National Assembly for consideration and approval.

It seeks to give legal backing to new measures by the current administration to enhance the teaching profession in the country.

If approved by the lawmakers, the retirement age of teachers will move from 60 years to 65, while the years of service will also move from 35 to 40.

Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, who briefed  correspondents at the end of the council meeting, said some highlights of the bill include the introduction of bursary award, special rural posting allowances and other measures to attract the best brains to the profession.

President Buhari had during the 2020 Teachers’ day celebration, promised to extend the retirement age for teachers in the country.

There have been calls especially from the Nigeria Union of Teachers, (NUT), teachers umbrella body, to back up the pronouncement with a law.