ASUSS Demands Better Welfare, Teaching Service Rule, Teachers’ Estate in Ondo
The Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Ondo State chapter, has called on the state government to strengthen teachers’ welfare, introduce a comprehensive Teaching Service Rule and establish a dedicated Teachers’ Estate to improve the working and living conditions of educators.
The State Chairman of ASUSS, Comrade Amuda Tairu Abiola, JP, made the call while speaking at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Ondo State, held under the theme: “Standing with teachers: 60 years of protecting the profession, advancing its status and shaping our futures.”
Abiola said meaningful support for teachers should extend beyond annual celebrations to include improved working conditions, career progression, professional development, affordable housing and greater participation in education policy formulation.
He described teachers as nation builders, noting that their responsibilities require knowledge, patience, discipline, sacrifice and commitment to shaping future generations.
According to him, the union remains committed to constructive engagement and dialogue with government and other stakeholders towards improving the education sector in Ondo State.
One of the major demands of the union, he said, is the development and implementation of a comprehensive Teaching Service Rule for the state.
Abiola explained that the document would provide clear guidelines on teachers’ career progression, promotion, transfer, discipline, retirement, responsibilities, rights and conditions of service, thereby strengthening professionalism within the teaching service.
The ASUSS chairman commended the government for measures already taken to address teachers’ concerns, particularly the promotion of teachers, appointment of Tutors-General and efforts to improve access to car and housing loans.
He, however, called for further improvement in teachers’ welfare, including appropriate career advancement to Grade Level 17 where applicable, as well as regular professional development programmes.
Abiola urged the government to sponsor workshops, seminars, conferences, refresher courses and other capacity-building programmes for teachers and education administrators across the 18 local government areas of the state.
He stressed that the rapid development of technology, artificial intelligence and modern teaching methods made continuous training essential for educators.
On housing, the ASUSS chairman advocated the establishment of a Teachers’ Estate, describing affordable accommodation as an important component of teachers’ welfare and dignity.
He also disclosed that the union had continued to explore opportunities through institutions such as the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria to improve access to housing-related benefits for serving teachers and retirees.
Abiola further appealed for the timely payment of teachers’ leave bonuses, preferably before subsequent school resumption periods, saying such payments would help teachers meet family responsibilities, including school fees, books, uniforms and transportation.
He also called for government support for the provision of an official ASUSS operational bus to facilitate the union’s activities across the 18 local government areas, particularly school visits, consultations and welfare interventions.
As the union prepares to commemorate its 25th anniversary in Ondo State, Abiola said the occasion would provide an opportunity to recognise outstanding teachers and education administrators, document ASUSS’ contributions and promote institutional development.
He identified the completion and development of the ASUSS State Secretariat as one of the key objectives of the anniversary, describing the project as an institutional centre that should provide meeting facilities, training spaces and other structures to support the union’s activities.
The chairman also said the union planned to strengthen its culture of recognising outstanding teachers, principals, education administrators and other stakeholders who had contributed significantly to the development of education in the state.
Abiola urged teachers to remain committed to professionalism, discipline, integrity, punctuality and excellence, stressing that their daily efforts could transform children, families and communities.
He listed teachers’ welfare, timely payment of leave bonuses, career progression, professional training, the Teaching Service Rule, affordable housing, car and housing loans, an official union bus and completion of the ASUSS Secretariat among issues requiring continued attention.
He urged stakeholders to move beyond the celebration of World Teachers’ Day and translate their commitments into concrete actions that would protect the teaching profession and strengthen education in Ondo State.
“When we strengthen teachers, we strengthen schools. When we strengthen schools, we strengthen our children. And when we strengthen our children, we strengthen the future of Ondo State,” he said.
