By Sani Idris
Global Peace Foundation Nigeria (GPFN), on Saturday donated food items to 200 private school teachers in Kaduna.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the food items were donated through the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS).
The Country Director of GPFN, Rev. John Hayab, while donating the food item said it was to cushion the effect of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Hayab said that private schools teachers were among those badly affected by the lockdown of schools and are barely surviving as a result of non payments of salary.
“Every sector in Nigeria as well as the private schools is important, the teachers in private school have been going through difficult times for about four months of the COVID-19 lockdown.
“The private schools teachers are being paid salaries when parents pay their children’s school fees, as a result of the situation, they have been facing serious difficulties in trying to fend for their families, he said.
Hayab noted that other countries during the pandemic have been supporting private school teachers and that prompted the foundation to also show such concern in Nigeria.
“One of the reason some people are unable to be called to order during any violence in our society is that no one showed them love when they were in need, we should learn to help one another during trying times.
“We have reached out and assisted so many people during the lockdown with our personal incomes, we are encouraging others to do same as it’s humanitarian and will be repaid by God,” Hayab said.
He called on the Government and other spirited individuals and organisations to assist private school teachers especially during this period of hardship occasioned by the pandemic.
Also, Malam Halliru Maraya, the Northern coordinator of GPFN, said the gesture was aimed at putting smiles on the faces of private school teachers.
“Private school teachers play a critical role in provision of education in the country pursuant to the apparent neglect and collapse of the public school system, he said.
Maraya added that the government had not done much to ameliorate the plight of Private school teachers regarding palliative.
“Although our donation is small, it is not really small metaphorically because it would bring happiness to the teachers,” he said.
He called on the Government to reopen schools so as to pave way for continuation of teachers livelihood and learning activities.
Ja’faru Yusuf, state Chairman of NAPPS, whike appreciating GPFN, said the gesture would go a long way in easing the ravaging effect of the COVID-19 among the teachers.
He thanked the foundation for the kind gesture and also appealed to government to reopen schools and monitor the compliance of the COVID-19 safety guidelines. (NAN)
SA/EOB/IU
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Edited by Edith Bolokor and Isaac Ukpoju
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