Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo has assured teachers in the state that under his watch their reward is no longer in heaven.
The governor gave the assurances on Wednesday during the presentation of appointment letters to 5,000 newly employed teachers.
Okpebholo who personally presented the letters to the teachers, emphasized the significance of the occasion and the government’s commitment to valuing its educators.
“Teachers, I am happy to see you. I wanted it this way, because, I had asked several times if you had received your letters. The answer was no.
“So, I decided to supervise the process myself. As you collect your appointment letters today, you will also receive transport fare because I know many of you have traveled long distances.
“You are very important to us. Your reward is no longer in heaven; it is here, under our watch,” he said.
He said with the presentation of the appointment letters, the teachers who had been on contracts since have now been officially absorbed into the State Ministry of Education as permanent staff.
The governor who acknowledged the vital role teachers play in shaping the future of Edo State, said the employment underscored his administration’s dedication to improving the welfare of educators.
4,500 of the teachers were employed under the Edo star programme of the former Governor Godwin Obaseki administration while 500 others were newly recruited by the state government.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Paddy Iyamu, expressed deep appreciation for the teachers’ perseverance over the past three years despite the challenges of being on contract.
“You have been suffering for years, yet you have stayed committed to educating our children, waking up at night to prepare lesson notes. Beautiful schools without teachers are useless. Today, an angel has come, a leader who thinks about your welfare day and night,” he added.
Iyamu, who highlighted some of the achievements of Okpebholo’s administration within the education sector, noted that the construction of over 68 schools within one year is aimed at benefiting children from all walks of life.
He further disclosed that the EDU-Rescue Programme was launched to give children from poor backgrounds access to quality education.
