The signing of Teachers’ Harmonised Retirement Age Act by President Muhammadu Buhari has been described by the Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) as a very bold move by the President Muhammadu Buhari administration to reposition the teaching profession and restore its former glory.

President Muhammadu Buhari had last Friday assented to the Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act, 2022. The bill was one of the four landmark bills recently passed by the National Assembly. The Harmonised Retirement Age for Teachers in Nigeria Act provides for the retirement age of teachers in the country at 65.

In a statement signed by its Chairman, Niyi Akinsiju and Secretary, Cassidy Madueke, BMO noted that the signing of the bill into law is a landmark development considering the benefits that will accrue to the educational system in the country even as it will confer respect and prestige on the teaching profession after being utterly neglected over the years.

The group stated that Section 3 of the Act which provided that the Public Service Rule or any other legislation that requires a person to retire from the Public Service at 60 years of age or after 35 years of service shall not apply to teachers, is not only a good incentive that will help them to give their best to society but, actually, classified teaching as a premium service in the country’s public service.

The group also acknowledged the many benefits contained in the act which will serve as incentives for teachers. Part of the Act provided for students in the education sector to earn special bursary allowances while in school and during obligatory teaching practice. Education graduates will also enjoy enhanced entry level salary in the civil service while special allowances are to be earned by teachers posted to rural areas.

The Act also provided for Special Teachers Pension Scheme to be established among other benefits and incentives, all with the objective of professionalising the teaching profession.

Impressed by the boutique of incentives contained in the Act which was conceived and initiated as an executive bill in January, 2021 by the Federal Executive Council, the BMO commended President Buhari for his determination to restore the important roles of teachers in national development and the educational development of the country particularly.