A new wave of optimism swept through teachers in Ondo State on Tuesday,July 7, as the Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Ondo State Chapter, Comrade Amuda Tairu Abiola, JP, led members of the State Executive Council on a historic familiarisation visit to St. Joseph’s College, Ondo, where far-reaching discussions on teachers’ welfare, promotions, pensions and career advancement dominated proceedings.
The meeting, which commenced at exactly 12:00 p.m. with the rendition of the ASUSS Anthem, brought together teachers, union leaders and education stakeholders from Ondo East and Ondo West Local Government Areas in an atmosphere of unity and renewed hope.
Welcoming the State Chairman and his entourage, the ASUSS Chairman for Ondo West expressed profound appreciation for the leadership demonstrated within a short period in office, describing the visit as the first of its kind in the history of the union in the state.
He commended the State leadership for its interventions on teacher’s payslips, mortgage-related issues, promotions and other welfare concerns.
He also presented a comprehensive memorandum highlighting pressing issues affecting teachers across the state.
Among the major concerns raised were the review of the rebate-sharing formula, consultation before salary deductions, implementation of the minimum wage, resolution of mortgage banking challenges, pension matters, clarification of TUC deductions, establishment of seniority within TESCOM, external influence on schools, upward review of rural allowances, introduction of the Teachers Salary Structure (TSS), improved conditions for PTA teachers, and the extension of Grade Level 16 to Grade Level 17.
Addressing the gathering, State ASUSS Chairman, Comrade Amuda Tairu Abiola, JP, assured members that the union remains committed to pursuing every legitimate demand until tangible results are achieved.
In a solemn moment, participants observed a minute’s silence in honour of the late human rights icon, Gani Fawehinmi, acknowledging his historic contributions to justice and workers’ rights.
The Chairman disclosed that promotion letters, along with their financial benefits, would soon be released to deserving teachers.
He further revealed that discussions were already underway with the Ondo State Government on the implementation of Grade Level 17 for teachers, describing it as a priority agenda for the union.
He also pledged sustained improvements in teachers’ welfare, announced plans for the celebration of ASUSS Week with special recognition for pensioners and retiring teachers, and disclosed that teachers would soon have access to mortgage loans of at least one million naira to improve home ownership.
Speaking during the meeting, the Director of Planning and Research, TESCOM, urged teachers to remain diligent and uphold the highest standards of professionalism. He advised officers approaching retirement to submit their retirement documents at least six months before leaving service to ensure seamless processing of pensions.
He also emphasized the importance of proper lesson preparation, stressing that effective teaching requires adequate lesson notes and active classroom engagement rather than merely dictating notes to students.
Following an interactive session with members, several resolutions were reached.
These included the distribution of souvenirs to teachers across the state, improved support for families of teachers who die in active service, sustained efforts toward achieving comprehensive Teachers’ Service Rules, intensified advocacy for the implementation of Grade Level 17, and the continuation of the approved 2 percent ASUSS dues deduction from members’ basic salaries.
The meeting was concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the State Secretary, Comrade Felix A. Ayodele, before the closing prayer brought the historic engagement to an end at about 3:00 p.m.
The familiarisation visit has been widely described by participants as a landmark engagement that renewed confidence in the union’s leadership and reinforced its commitment to advancing the welfare, dignity and professional development of teachers across Ondo State.
