By Austine Emmanuel, Kaduna
Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Kaduna State Chapter, has lamented the killings of over ten teachers and abduction of more than 50 in Kaduna State from January, 2022 till date.
The Chairman, ASUSS Kaduna State, Comrade Ishaya Dauda, made the disclosure and appeals, during a world press conference in Kaduna to commemorate the 2022 International World Teachers’ Day on the theme: “The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers.”
According to the Chairman, more than 10 secondary school teachers were killed, while over 50 others who were kidnapped from January 2022 till date, are still in captivity.
The comrade lamented that there was no any organization so affected by the insecurity in Kaduna state, adding that, “The union is fully aware of the insecurity that is threatening the corporate existence of Kaduna state citizens especially in our schools. We are equally aware of efforts being made by the state government towards the recruitment of Kaduna State Vigilante Service to secure our Schools.”
Similarly, Comrade Dauda who commended the efforts of Governor El-Rufai for prompt payment of teachers salaries in the state, urged the governor to ensure prompt payment of retirees benefits to ease their hardship.
“The union wishes to sincerely commend His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai for the prompt payment of salaries to our teaming members across the entire state as at when due. The union however appealed to the Governor to ensure prompt payment of retiree benefits in order to ease hardship being faced by them.”
He further stressed that ASUSS like any other trade union, has enjoyed the goodwill of Kaduna State Government, while appealing to Governor El-rufai to facilitate the promotion of their members who have been delayed since 2020.
The Chairman assured that the union was working hard towards the implementation of the approved new retirement age for secondary school teachers in Kaduna State.
“ASUSS is working in partnership with the office of the Head of Service, Kaduna State Ministry of Education, Kaduna Teachers’ Service Commission and other relevant stakeholders towards ensuring better welfare for our members in terms of recruitment, promotion and other welfare packages.”