The Unity School Old Students Association (USOSA) has called on Nigerians to join hands with federal and state government in building quality education in the country.
The President General of the association, Mr Michael Magaji, disclosed this at a press briefing to herald the association ‘s 41st Plenary Session in Abuja on Wednesday.
Magaji said the essence of the Plenary was to push for quality education and remodeling of public secondary schools across the country.
“Over the last 17 years, we host plenary sessions and we went round different parts of the country to push and advocate for quality education and peace.
“We will continue to promote quality education,diversity and excellence in public education for nation building.
“The phase of education is changing and USOSA want to provide top leadership and practical leadership in defining this new phase of education and we believe these are critical in nation building.
Magaji maintained that unity schools played a very pivotal role in fostering national unity and integration.
He urged Usosans in the diaspora to support educational system in Nigeria as a means of given back to their alma mater.
The president general explained that USOSA was committed to the training and retraining of teachers for optimal performance.
When asked on the efforts of the association to ensure the 36 months salary arrears owed unity schools teacher are paid, Magaji said efforts were on top gear with the ministry of education to fast track the payment.
“We have sort clarifications by our government because we don’t want our teachers to suffer as they are part of our history.
“We value our teachers and their output is being recognised. Their payment is in the processing time.
“We are in talks with the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education and the salaries of teachers in questions had been approved for onward payment,” he said.
He appealed to Nigerians to continue to promote public schools as it was established by tax payers money for quality education of all.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 41st Plenary season, which would take place in Port Harcourt between July 12 and 13, has the theme’ Education a key foundation for building legacies and our united future’. (NAN)