Education Minister Dr. Tunji Alausa has announced plans to collaborate with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to address the ongoing problem of unpaid salaries for government school teachers in Abuja. Speaking at the launch of the National Policy on Non-State Schools in Abuja, Alausa said they would work together to engage the National Assembly on creating a sustainable solution.
Alausa pointed out that while most states have established State Universal Basic Education Boards (SUBEBs) to handle teacher salaries under the Universal Basic Education (UBE) scheme, the FCT still operates without such a structure. He stressed that the lack of this setup is a key reason for the repeated salary issues facing public school teachers in the capital.
He also commended Wike for his quiet efforts in resolving the recent teachers’ strike, which allowed early childcare and primary schools to reopen. According to Alausa, the plan is to push for a new funding model that allows teacher salaries in the FCT to be paid directly, possibly through a newly established SUBEB.
At the same event, Alausa unveiled the National Policy on Non-State Schools. He described it as a major move under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to reform the education sector. The policy aims to raise standards in infrastructure, teaching, and curriculum delivery across private and mission-owned schools. It also lays out a plan for public-private partnerships to improve access to quality education.
Alausa revealed that a committee is currently working on a funding model where private schools will be reimbursed indirectly for enrolling and supporting out-of-school children. The implementation of this initiative is expected to begin in the 2025/2026 academic session, starting in September.
