Uchechukwu Nnaike
Worried by the extended and more and more distressing situation of promotion stagnation amongst training officers within the Federal Ministry of Education, a bunch, Concerned Education Officers within the ministry, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to approve a one-time particular presidential/govt waiver to facilitate the promotion of eligible and certified stagnated training officers within the Federal Ministry of Education, however the prevailing institution and emptiness limitations.
The group, in an open letter to the president, by way of the Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, regretted that many training officers have continued to expertise unprecedented profession stagnation, with some remaining on the identical grade ranges since 2013.
It said that the state of affairs has continued for over 12 leaving deserving and certified officers with out the chance for development, not essentially as a result of they lack the requisite {qualifications}, expertise or competence, however largely due to the persistent problem of restricted or unavailable vacancies on the larger cadre ranges.
The state of affairs it stated, has created appreciable frustration and uncertainty, and diminished morale amongst affected officers, lots of whom have devoted the best years of their skilled lives to the service of the FME and the event of Nigeria’s training sector.
The involved training officers additionally appealed that the proposed particular waiver be thought-about and utilized, the place administratively possible, to the continued 2026 promotion train.
The group additionally sought particular consideration for long-stagnated officers, who’ve remained on the identical grade ranges for over 10 years regardless of assembly the prescribed promotion necessities.
While interesting for the mandatory directives to the related authorities, together with the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the Federal Civil Service Commission, to facilitate the implementation of the permitted intervention, the group referred to as for sustainable measures to stop future stagnation.
“Beyond the immediate waiver, we encourage a comprehensive review of the establishment structure and promotion opportunities within the ministry to ensure that this challenge does not continue to undermine the career progression of education officers,” it stated.
The group said that training officers’ tasks lengthen past routine administrative duties to training coverage implementation, planning, monitoring, analysis, high quality assurance, coordination and the development of nationwide training targets.
“They are part of the machinery that supports the realisation of the federal government’s education priorities and the broader objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda. It is therefore imperative that the welfare, professional development and career progression of these officers receive the attention they deserve.”
The group added: “We are not asking for an abandonment of established civil service procedures or an indiscriminate promotion of officers. Rather, we seek a compassionate and exceptional intervention that recognises the peculiar circumstances of this category of public servants and provides a fair opportunity for eligible officers to progress in their careers.”
It famous {that a} particular waiver at this vital time wouldn’t solely tackle a promotion backlog, however would restore hope, rekindle dedication, enhance morale and exhibit that years of devoted service {and professional} expertise should not ignored.
“Your Excellency, let the Renewed Hope Agenda also reach the stagnated education officers. Their years of service deserve recognition, their dedication deserves encouragement, and their career progression deserves a fair opportunity,” the group stated.
