We’re making effort to improve infrastructures in FCT schools – Isah Maina

Senator Isah Maina, Secretary for Education of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), in this interview, speaks on the challenges facing the education sector in the FCT and what is delaying take-off of the proposed Abuja University of Technology, Abaji ( AUTA) Among other issues. Excerpt:

the Federal Government noted that the standard of education in the country is unacceptable. And let me inform you that we just received a letter from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) that they want to build a model that will include teacher training facility in the FCT. You know it is one of the good things to have a school fully equipped to include nice classrooms and well equipped with teachers, which is one of the things the UBEC is trying to address.

What have you done about teachers’ motivation in schools?

It is very easy to say lack of motivation, but I just told you that payment of workers’ salaries is one of our priorities as we ensure that teachers in the FCT receive their salaries when due. We don’t joke with teachers’ salaries. So as far as I am concerned, prompt salary payment as motivation should not be an issue in FCT. The first thing I noticed here is that the FCT minister does not joke with the payment of salaries. In fact, as I am talking to you now, I believe everybody who is working has gotten their salary for August. And I stand to be corrected.

So the issue the chairman of the FCT teachers’ union talked about is that of some pending promotion arrears for teachers and I assured him that I will look into that. Therefore, teachers motivation is not an issue, as we always ensure that they get their salaries and other entitlements when due. So to crown it all, we are making effort and will improve on infrastructure in FCT schools as soon as the situation improves.