By Bisi Olominu
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The Federal Government has been urged to declare state of emergency in the status, welfare and quality of teachers in the country.

The Ondo State Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, Mr. Dayo Adebiyi stated this at the 2018 World Teachers’ Day held in Akure.

He said the importance of teachers is globally acknowledged because they play crucial and valuable roles in moulding the lives of children.

“But quite a pity that teachers have not been accorded their rightful places in Nigeria. They have been subjected to degradation and pains as a result of governments at all levels playing lip service to the education sector “.

Adebiyi further said that investment in education in China accounts for a high percentage of the total Growth Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.

Noting that while China has a consistent teacher development system, teaching has historically been and remains today, a highly respected profession in the country.

“This explains why China’s economy is gradually overtaking the western nations’ economy. The great lesson from this is that China recognises teachers as the most important variable in the process of education. Without quality teachers, there can never be quality education “.

The State Chairman therefore commended members of ASUSS for supporting the union to have its own permanent secretariat despite the challenges of the time.

He promised that the union will not disappoint them while praying that God will reward them for their patriotic action.