Enugu State residents have taken to social media to condemn late payment of salaries of primary school teachers by the state government.
This condemnation comes as the primary school teachers in government-owned schools did not receive their salaries for April as of yesterday, Thursday, May 9. Many residents of Enugu State lamented that despite poor remuneration the primary school teachers receive salaries late.
While the government is yet to make an official statement on the criticism of late payments across social media, residents said the policy should be reversed.
Alex Onyia, Chief Executive Officer of Educare, said it is unfair to pay primary school teachers in Enugu late. He said it was unfair that the “peanuts and even the low pay does not come in on time,” he added.
Onyia said the process of ENSUBEB sending money to local governments for them to decide when to pay primary school teachers was wrong.
Onyia said, “No public primary school teacher in Enugu State has been paid April salary and today is 9th of May. The entire sequence of ENSUBEB sending money to local government and then they decide if they will pay teachers or not is so hash for the teachers. They are low income earners and need to be paid on-time.”
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He further disclosed that “retired teachers are yet to receive their pension for years and many of them have died waiting. We can’t keep neglecting our teachers and expect exceptional outcomes from the students. Teachers are the bedrock of our nation. They build our current and future generation.”
The Educare CEO, an education software and school management system, argued that while AI can teach facts, only teachers can instill values. He added that neglecting the state’s educators would negatively impact the development of character and values of the youths in the state.
“Many public primary school teachers are yet to receive April salary in Enugu State. These teachers are paid peanuts and even the low pay does not come in on time. It’s unfair to these teachers and needs to stop.
“While AI can teach facts, only teachers can instill values. Neglecting our educators risks losing the heart of our nation’s teaching—the development of character. Let’s value and support our teachers. They shape our tomorrow,” Onyia said on his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
Another X user, Chidubem Onah accused the governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, of engaging in bogus projects to the neglect of basic projects. Onah said, “I told people Peter Mbah is not ready to move Enugu forward. People who focus on bogus elephant projects without getting the basics right are a huge turn off to me.” He added that “teachers who retired over 10 yrs ago are yet to be paid gratuity, pensions come once in 4 months. Very unfortunate.”
While Daniel Egbo said “A society that refuses to prioritize education will face the consequences. Both State and local governments have done poorly in terms of improving the educational sector across the country.”
Ezeifeka Obinna said delayed payment of salary should not be allowed by the state government. He added, “This was the reason I never join civil service. I can’t stand being owed salary for extra one week.”
