BY OSITA BIOSE
INTRODUCTION
THERE is no doubt that in any organized setting, particularly where the work-force is concerned, motivation is key. It ‘gingers’ workers to put in their optimal best in the discharge of their duties, knowing full well that their efforts will not go unrewarded. One of such motivational initiatives is the Delta State Teachers Merit Award.
THE TEACHERS’ MERIT AWARD
The Teachers’ Merit Award in Delta, an initiative of the past Okowa administration, was introduced in October 2017.
Set up as an initiative to recognize and reward outstanding teachers in the state, the award was aimed at motivating teachers to strive for excellence in their profession.
CRITERIA TO QUALIFY
Like all credible awards, the Teacher’s Merit Award had several critical criteria which would eventually determine the emergence of qualified recipients for the prestigious laurel. They were as follows: The awardee(s) must be a graduate and indigene of Delta; Must be willing to serve in rural/riverine schools for at least 5 years, and the subject areas which the criteria highlighted included Agricultural science, Basic Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English Language, Information Technology, Geography and Economics, among others.
On October 5, 2017, the eve of the World Teachers’ Day celebration, the maiden Teacher’s Merit Award ceremony held at the Unity hall of Government House, Asaba, Delta State and mouth-watering cash and material awards (vehicles) were lavished on the teachers.
The then state governor, Senator (Dr) Ifeanyi Okowa, announced the rewards at the Dinner and Awards night, organized by the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education in conjunction with Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Delta state wing, ably led by its Chairman, Comrade Titus Okotie, for teachers in the state, in Asaba.
A total of 12 teachers in the state who were found worthy of the awards, received cars and cash rewards for outstanding performance in their duties; a situation which greatly improved the morale of teachers in the state, thus improving the standard of education at that time.
The awardees were: Messrs Asanuvwe Elizabeth, Owumi Onome, Omotie Phoebe (Best Primary School Teachers); Oyemike Andrew, Ogwara Gabriel, Esiedafe Doris (Best Head Teacher); Imarah Georgina, Eseimokumoh Charles, Ikeh Bridget (Best Secondary School Teacher); and Ominiabohs Adeline, Adiri Jonathan, Okolafor Fidelis (Best Principal).
These recipients of the maiden Teacher’s Merit Awards were principals, head teachers and classroom teachers at primary and secondary schools’ levels, who had emerged from the selection process.
Governor Okowa then charged teachers not to only teach but develop the attitude and moral traits of their pupils/students.
Congratulating the awardees, he reminded them that the reward of teachers is not only in heaven but here on earth. This recognition, the governor said, would touch the hearts of our teachers and make them work harder in the development of our children.
“The teachers, just like parents, play an important role in the development and upbringing of the child.
“We need to continue to give care to our children and guide them aright because it is at this foundational and formative level that we can mould their character.
“We need to get the moral development of the children aright at this level, so that it will be well with our nation.” he said.
The governor then urged the awardees to redouble their commitment to the upbringing of the pupils/student, reminding them that “teaching is a passion that genuinely flows from the heart”
The then Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Patrick Ukah had, earlier in his speech, noted that the awardees were selected from a process that involved over 49,000 teachers and students in 470 public secondary schools and 1,126 primary schools in the state.
He congratulated the awardees and said that the assessment was done and vetted by a team of academics drawn from various tertiary institutions in the country.
THE PRESENT STATUS OF THE MERIT AWARD
Sadly, however, the Teachers Merit Award ceremony has not been held again, since after the maiden edition in 2017. There had been great enthusiasm and excitement that with the hugely successful inaugural edition of the award ceremony, coupled with the very motivational impact it engendered amongst the Teachers, this laudable initiative would become a major calendar event which would be hosted annually to celebrate Teachers and reward those who have performed outstandingly every year. But the event has not seen the light of day after October 5, 2017.
Several reasons have been adduced for the failure to host the Delta Teachers Merit Award regularly since 2017 and they include: Funding constraints; Political or administrative changes; Logistical challenges, Prioritization of other initiatives and Lack of support or sponsorship amongst others.
Another major reason was the advent of COVID-19 and the devastating global impact of the spread of the Corona Virus, which not only ravaged and crippled humanity but brought the entire world to a standstill for over two years.
There was also the related circumstance that immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic was globally addressed and normalcy was restored to human activities, preparations commenced in ernest for the 2023 general elections across the country and it is safe to note that the involvement of the then Governor Ifeanyi, who was picked as the Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, could also have contributed considerably to the non-hosting of the Teachers Merit Award, since all administrative attention was directed to the politics of the season.
REINSTITUTION OF THE TEACHERS MERIT AWARD
The emergence of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori as the Governor of Delta State on May 29, 2023, was greeted with great joy and Celebration across the state and especially in the Teachers Community, given the monumental role which the Labour Unions played to ensure that he was elected as Governor.
This endorsement and acceptance of Governor Oborevwori has been further consolidated by the considerable strides and achievements of his administration guided by the M.O.R.E Agenda, which is acronym for: Meaningful Development; Opportunities For All, Realistic Reforms and Enhanced Peace and Security.
The fact that his administration has already employed over 3, 000 teachers and embarked on a comprehensive rehabilitation and rebuilding of schools and equipping them to enhance the transmission of knowledge in a conducive and secure environment have all heightened the anticipation that the reactivation of the Teachers Merit Award, may also be given due consideration under the M.O.R.E Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s administration.
It is indeed a well-known fact, that building on existing foundations and incentivizing improvement, are essential for progress. The absence of incentives or awards, such as the Teachers Merit Award, to motivate teachers and students, is a significant gap, as recognition and rewards can drive performance and innovation.
In addition, also, it is crucial to acknowledge and celebrate achievements to foster a culture of excellence and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori as a man of the people is well known for his passion for rewarding excellence and the support and encouragement he has continued to give to laudable initiatives. The MORE Grants scheme and the D-CARES programme are just two recent examples of his magnanimity and accommodation.
To ensure the continuation of The Teachers Merit Award therefore, the Delta government and the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) can take the following steps:
Delta Government:
- Consider the Provision of a dedicated budget for the award ceremony and ensure consistent funding.
- Establish a permanent Joint- committee with the NUT to oversee the organization and planning of the award.
- Provide and sustain more incentives and benefits for winners, such as cash prizes, promotions, or study grants.
Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT):
- Collaborate with the government to establish a joint committee for the award.
- Organize mini or segmented annual Teachers Awards ceremonies in LGAs, which could encourage well-meaning individuals and establishments to buy into the event with a view to supporting a more comprehensive statewide ceremony.
CONCLUSION
The aims of engendering a culture of optimal performance by teachers in the state, lie squarely on the shoulders of those at the helm of affairs at the Primary, Basic and Secondary, Education Ministries. It is their duty to formulate policy and also continue with the implementation of such laudable ones as the Teachers Merit Award. Whatever be the bottlenecks should be tackled and adequate representation via memos, made to the Governor, for consideration and approval.
Government, as has been established, is a continuum, and as such, germane policies that tend to motivate the teachers, in this instant, the Teachers Merit Award, must not be allowed to be thrown, like the baby, with the bath water.
By working together, the Delta government operating with the excellent MORE Agenda and NUT can ensure the sustainability and success of the merit award, recognizing and rewarding teachers’ hard work and dedication.
