Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has disclosed plans by his administration to extend the service years of teachers in the state.
In getting this done, the governor has forwarded the Harmonized Retirement Age Bill for the extension of the retirement age for teachers in the state to the State’s House of Assembly.
Obaseki disclosed this in his address to teachers in the state during the 2023 Teachers’ Day ceremony held in Benin City, the state capital.
According to the governor, the bill is to harmonize the present service and retirement age of teachers, which provides for the extension of the service years from 30 to 35 years and retirement age from 60 to 65 years, noting that as soon as the House passes the bill into law, his administration will commence its implementation with immediate effect.
“As per release of approval letters for a harmonised retirement age for teachers, I don’t see why you should worry. I will not say something that I will not do.
“This is an issue of law. I have sent a bill to the House of Assembly to pass it into law and domesticate it and as soon as I get it from the House of Assembly, I will begin to implement it,” the governor said.
Obaseki also promised the teachers that his administration will pay them half of their December salaries in addition to the full month’s salaries, alongside the ’13th month’ he promised Edo State workers.
“Teachers say I should give them palliatives or gifts for today. I have already promised all workers in Edo State that you will get your 13th month salaries this year. What I will add as a gift to celebrate the teachers because of the World teachers’ day celebration is that, all the teachers will get an additional half a month bonus,” he said.
