The MOU dictates that the government undertakes payment of salaries and allowances including rent, medical, annual leave and 10% NASSIT contribution of core staff.
The minister noted that salary payments to associate lecturers and other allowances including ex-gratia payment to contract staff will be undertaken by the institutions using government subvention and internally generated funds.
He called on tertiary education institutions to ensure prompt reporting of staff termination, replacement, recruitment and all relevant information.
The Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Prof. Aiah Gbakima said the days of strike actions by lecturers are over, noting that the new direction government prioritises lecturers’ welfare.
He called on the universities/colleges to ensure timely submission of relevant information to the ministries of finance and higher education.
“We expect high level of efficiency from the lecturers with this new arrangement,” he expressed.
Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Turad Senesie described the event as a milestone that will support quality education.
“This move marks the end of an era where lecturers go for months without salaries,” he noted, while highlighting the challenges being faced by university staff over the years.
According to him, “we have witnessed situations of staff allowances being accumulated over a period of one year with no assurance of bulk payment”.
Lecturers, he said, have been struggling to maintain their respect and dignity in various communities as their kids were being asked out of schools for failure to timely pay tuition fees.
He however noted that the latest laudable intervention by the government will require commitment from the lecturers to improve on the standard of education in the country through better service delivery.
With the new arrangement, the government will ensure timely payment of salaries on a monthly basis, he said.
“This new direction government places premium on welfare of lecturers,” he reiterated, adding that the government is determined to minimise poverty and support savings.
The Deputy Minister assured the public that the current government has prioritised human capital development ‘and will continue to take steps to ensure sustainable solutions to chronic challenges in all sectors’.
Tertiary Education Commission’s Prof. Alghali said this epoch making step will address welfare challenges and minimize strike actions.
He however called on all stakeholders to ensure they embark on ‘forward planning’ to ensure that the challenges with the new system are minimised.
He urged the beneficiary institutions to be proactive and swift in responding to queries and requests to ensure seamless delivery of service.
The session was chaired by the Financial Secretary.
