Following failed efforts by the present administration of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa-led Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), government in Delta State, to end the lingering discrimination between primary and secondary school teachers in government owned schools, governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Olorogun Barr. Kenneth Gbagi, said if given the opportunity, he would abolish the dichotomy.
Gbagi, a former minister of State for education, abrogated the infamous policy of West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) of using a minimum of 6-credits in one-sitting, to two-sittings to be eligible for admission into the university.
The renowned Criminologist gave the assurance on Tuesday November 22nd 2022, during a meeting with Christian Women Association, held at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Asaba, the State capital.
Hear him, “Some teachers who are supposed to be in salary grade level 17, because they are teaching in primary schools, they refused to elevate them. Did you commit crime by going to school? He asked.
“All teachers in Delta State, we will adjust their records within the first two months to reflect what their true positions ought to be.
“Those who went to school and read up to PhD and Masters levels, we will have no business stagnating them where they were because they are in primary school.
“We will do teachers training and retraining. You may have started from the primary school, it does not stop you from getting to the university level, we will change it.
“The state belongs to us. Where people can bring their children who have never worked to be directors, what about people who have suffered as teachers? He queried.
He lamented that primary school teachers over the years have been enmeshed in abject traumatization due to unwarranted discrimination, harsh and inhumane treatments at their various workplaces in both public and private sectors of the Nigerian economy in spite of their vast potentials, hard work and immense contributions to national development.
