By Kamsi Anayo
Teachers in the flood prone communities of Anambra East and West, who have suffered decades of pitiable working conditions have been assured of improved welfare conditions.
The member representing Anambra East and West Federal Constituency, Hon. Peter Udogala Anekwe gave the assurance in a speech delivered at the Obinetiti Umudora International Convention, 2023 organized by the Obinetiti Quarter, Umudora Anam on Sunday.
Anekwe bemoaned what he described as inadequate remuneration for the teachers in the area as well as lack of youth interest in education.
He assured the teachers of good working conditions as part of the efforts to contribute to the development of education in the area.
He pledged to build standard structures for the purposes of accommodating the teachers even in the time of flood.
The lawmaker said that he had set up an Education Committee to ensure that the plans are objectively executed.
He stressed that no stone would be left unturned to ensure a facelift to the state of education in the area.
Earlier, the Anglican Bishop of Mbamili Diocese, Rt Rev Obiora Uzochukwu, enumerated many challenges confronting teachers in the area.
He lamented that in spite of the natural brilliance of children in Anambra West, teachers are not often available to give them the necessary support.
The bishop traced the problem to lack of adequate motivating welfare packages enough to attract teachers to the area.
He, therefore, enjoined the elite and good spirited people of the area to provide solution to the scarcity of teachers in the area.
He stressed that that sustained concreted efforts are required solve the lingering problem.
Chairman of the event, Chief David Edochie Onuora, appointed Prof. Alex Asigbo, Prof. Jaja Nwanegbo, Prof. Ajie and Mr Odikpo Mmadubueze to collate, with dispatch, the statistics of teachers teaching in the area for deliberations in the bid improve their welfare.
Onuora, a business magnet appealed to the youths in the area to develop interest in education.
He regretted that while many of them had to internet fraud known as ‘Yahoo Yahoo,’ it would eventually disappoint them later in life.
Also speaking, Prof. Alex Asigbo had while expounding the theme of the convention: “Education the bedrock of modern age”, expressed disappointment over the seeming decrease in the number of the youths of Anam in school.
While emphasising that the adverse effects of lack of interest in education could be detrimental in their future, the professor advised parents to refrain from sending their children abroad without substantial educational background and solid busines backing.
He described the practice as an indirect way of sending the children to go and steal.
The spokesperson of Obinetiti Quarter, Chief Charles Igbonugo, explained that the event was organized in response to the dire need for the reawakening of the interest of Anam youths in education and its benefits.
He appealled for the contributions of every one in the area towards encouraging their youths to develop interest in acquiring quality education for the future benefits of the people.
