SOUTH AFRICA COUNCIL FOR EDUCATORS LAUDS NUT.

The Chief Executive Officer of South African Council for Educators (SACE) Mr. Rej Brijraj has commended the Nigeria Union of Teachers leadership role in the professional development of teachers and advocacy for greater government investment in education.

Mr. Rej Brijraj who led other members of South African Council for Educators described their visit to Nigeria as a means to further strengthen the existing bond between the two countries and share experience on matters affecting education in the continent with a view to seeking common grounds.

Mr. Brijraj stated that the visit to Nigeria has been quite revealing and lamented the disparity in school structures and learning conditions of the privileged children and those of ordinary members of the society.
While welcoming the delegation to the Nigeria Union of Teachers Head Office, the Unions Vice president comrade Niran Ojo attested to the existing relationship between Nigeria and South Africa, stressing that it must be sustained because the two countries have a long history of mutual cooperation.

Comrade Ojo lamented that, in spite of the role Nigerian teachers perform in the development of the society, they were yet to gain due regard and recognition.

He promised that Nigerian teachers will not relent but work with all relevant bodies and organs of government especially Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) to ensure true professionalization of teaching in Nigeria.

In his remarks the Secretary General of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Obong I.J Obong appreciated the assistance of South Africa Council for Educators in the operation of the Education Labour Relations Council of South Africa and called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to grant the request of the Nigeria Union of Teachers for the establishment of the National Education Labour Relations Council in Nigeria. This he maintained will guarantee stability in the education sector devoid of avoidable industrial crises.

The Registrar and Chief Executive of Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria Prof. Addison Wakocha had earlier intimated the visiting delegation which is its sister body from South Africa that the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria came to existence as a result of the relentless struggle by the Nigeria Union of Teachers and added that the relationship between TRCN and NUT has since inception remained cordial as they collaborate to tackle the malaise in the Nigeria teaching service.

Prof. Wakocha also noted with delight that in the whole of the African continent only South Africa and Nigeria have established structures for the regulation of the teaching profession.
 

	Mr. Magope Maphila Chairperson South Africa Council for Educators (SACE) and Deputy President South Africa Democratic Teachers Union. Stressing a point during their visit to National Nigeria Union of Teacher Head Office Abuja. (middle) Motsoliso Dipholo chief Operations Officer SACE and (extreme left) Rej Brijraj Chief Executive Officer SACE.
	1.   Comrade Niran Ojo, National Vice President NUT presenting copies of NUT Newsletters to Rej Brijraj, Chief Executive Officer SACE during SACE visit to NUT National Head Office Abuja.
	Some members of the National Standing Committee of NUT in a group photograph with the delegation from South African Council for Educators.