Osun Begins Full Implementation Of Teacher’s Tenure Elongation Policy Guideline

The Osun State Government has begun full implementation of policy guidelines for the Teacher’s Tenure Elongation Policy. 

Governor Ademola Adeleke, on Wednesday, approved the enforcement and implementation of a new retirement age and length of service for the teaching profession in the state, in line with the policy guidelines. 

This is coming after a human rights group, the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), challenged Adeleke on the need for the full implementation of the policy. 

CDHR had accused Adeleke of unwillingness to fully implement the teacher’s retirement elongation policy, stating that the state government wasted N837m within 20 months of the domestication of the policy.

The human rights group claimed that most of the beneficiaries of the policy in the state were not medically fit and did not return to the classroom to teach as required by the policy guidelines.

The Chairman of the CDHR in the state, Comr. Emmanuel Olowu disclosed that 145 level 16 secondary school teachers and 105 primary school teachers have benefited from the policy. 

However, Adeleke, according to a press statement signed by his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, has approved the enforcement of the guidelines. 

Rasheed said: “Governor Ademola Adeleke has approved the immediate enforcement and implementation of new retirement age and length of Service for the teaching profession, directing action to restore normalcy across schools in Osun State.

“According to a Circular issued from the Office of the Head of Service, Mr Ayanleye Aina, all those interested in enjoying the new retirement age must comply with the guidelines as stipulated.

“Consequently, the Ministry of Finance and the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) have been directed to stop forthwith, the payment of salaries to those who have been enjoying the new retirement age without fulfilling the conditions attached.”

A copy of the circular sighted by OSUN DEFENDER on Wednesday reads: “I wish to refer to our Circulars Ref. Nos. SMD.61/VOL.III/36 dated 31st May, 2022 and SMD.61/Vol.IV/52 dated 20th October, 2023 on the above subject, and reiterate that the conditions stated in the aforementioned Circulars still subsist. 

“Consequently, all those who have been enjoying the new retirement age and length of service without fulfilling the necessary prerequisites have, by this circular, ceased to enjoy such benefits until their compliance with the extant circulars.

“For the purpose of emphasis, for any officer to enjoy the new retirement age and length of service, the concerned officer is requested to ensure that the guidelines are strictly adhered to.

“The full guidelines to be fulfilled by those interested reads as follows: “The Officer must be within the education cadre recognised in the Scheme of Service. The officer must be registered with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

“The officer must be medically fit as ascertained by a qualified medical doctor. The officer must not be under any disciplinary action.

“All successful applicants will be deployed to serve as teachers in schools; all unsuccessful applicants will be advised to retire immediately under the 60/35 years scheme.”

Commending Adeleke on the enforcement of the police guideline, Olowu, the CDHR Chairman, said: “CDHR sincerely commend you on your stance in ensuring that the beneficiaries of the teachers elongation policy are eligible and ready to follow the guidelines of the policy.”