Uchechukwu Nnaike
Worried by the extended and more and more distressing concern of promotion stagnation amongst schooling 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/government waiver to facilitate the promotion of eligible and certified stagnated schooling 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 schooling officers have continued to expertise unprecedented profession stagnation, with some remaining on the identical grade ranges since 2013.
It acknowledged that the scenario has endured 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 greater cadre ranges.
The scenario it stated, has created appreciable frustration and uncertainty, and diminished morale amongst affected officers, a lot of whom have devoted the best years of their skilled lives to the service of the FME and the event of Nigeria’s schooling sector.
The involved schooling officers additionally appealed that the proposed particular waiver be thought of 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 required 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 acknowledged that schooling officers’ tasks prolong past routine administrative duties to schooling coverage implementation, planning, monitoring, analysis, high quality assurance, coordination and the development of nationwide schooling goals.
“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 crucial time wouldn’t solely deal with a promotion backlog, however would restore hope, rekindle dedication, enhance morale and reveal that years of devoted service {and professional} expertise usually are not missed.
“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.
