IAUE Professor Ekaette, Advocates Increased Salary for Primary School Teachers to Address Attrition

Professor Ekaette Idongesit Ekpo, a renowned scholar in Primary Education Management at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), has called for improved remuneration for primary school teachers as a solution to the high rate of attrition in the sector.

Speaking on the topic, "Systematic and Systemic Dysfunctionalities in Nigeria's Primary Education System: Towards Prophylaxis and Praxis," Professor Ekpo emphasized the urgent need for teachers’ salaries to match those of their counterparts in other educational sub-sectors. She argued that the foundation of Nigeria’s education system, primary education, is in a critical state due to systemic and structural challenges, including inadequate funding, poor teacher retention, and subpar learning outcomes.

Professor Ekpo noted that primary education serves as the bedrock of national development, shaping future generations with values, morals, and civic responsibility. She described the sector as "infested with a killer disease worse than COVID-19," requiring immediate government intervention through reforms and a declaration of a state of emergency.

The inaugural lecturer proposed several solutions to address the crisis, including the establishment of a Primary Education Trust Fund (PETF) to finance the sector through taxes on companies and affluent individuals. She stressed that the government must allocate at least the UNESCO-recommended 26% of the annual budget to education.

Additionally, she advocated for making entrepreneurship education a core subject at the primary level to promote self-reliance, addressing insecurity in schools to create a conducive learning environment, and implementing comprehensive reforms to meet 21st-century societal needs.

Professor Ekpo also criticized the over-politicization of education and the preference for private primary schools over public ones, which she described as being in "complete shambles." She urged the government to prioritize education as a critical instrument for national development.

The Acting Vice-Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, commended Professor Ekpo for her insightful lecture. He encouraged parents to create supportive home environments to foster a love for learning in children.

In closing, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, Professor Godfrey Adokiye Kalio, expressed appreciation for the success of the event and thanked attendees for their participation.

The lecture underscored the importance of urgent interventions to revitalize Nigeria’s primary education system and ensure its role in shaping a brighter future for the nation.