Wike, Alausa Moves Teachers’ Salary Dispute To National Assembly

‎The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has revealed plans to collaborate with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in engaging the National Assembly to resolve the persistent issue of unpaid salaries for teachers in government-owned schools, especially in Abuja.
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‎He made this known on Wednesday during the official unveiling of the National Policy on Non-State Schools in Abuja, an event organized in partnership with the British High Commission and the Partnership for Learning for All in Nigeria.
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‎Alausa, in his address, confirmed that both ministers are actively working together to advocate for a long-term structural solution to the ongoing salary challenges facing the FCT education sector.
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‎“Getting the teachers back to school is just one part of fixing the problem.
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‎“We must address the root cause. Unlike other states that have functional State Universal Basic Education Boards paying teacher salaries under the UBE initiative, the FCT still lacks such a structure,” he said.
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‎Alausa acknowledged Wike’s vital behind-the-scenes efforts in resolving the recent teachers’ strike, which enabled pupils in early childcare and primary schools across the territory to return to the classroom.
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‎“I will work with Wike and we will make a representation to the National Assembly on how the salaries of teachers in the FCT can be funded directly, possibly through a functioning SUBEB,” he said.
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‎The minister also took the opportunity to launch the new National Policy on Non-State Schools, calling it a key element of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
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‎“This policy is a crucial step toward reforming our education sector. By tapping into the potential of non-state schools, we can expand access, enhance quality, and reduce the number of out-of-school children,” he stated.
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‎The policy establishes clear standards for infrastructure, teacher qualifications, curriculum implementation, and provides a framework for collaboration between the public and private sectors.
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‎Alausa further disclosed that a committee is already developing a model that would allow private schools to receive indirect reimbursements for each out-of-school child they successfully return to the classroom.
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‎“Our target is to implement this programme by the 2025/2026 academic session, starting in September,” he disclosed.