Teachers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed anger over what they describe as unfair treatment in the recently concluded promotion exercise, where only 20 Education Officers out of about 840 who sat for the examination were elevated to the next rank.
In an open letter to the Minister of the FCT, Comrade Ibukun Adekeye, a teacher and union leader, decried the outcome of the process, noting that Education Officers, who made up 92 percent of the total 915 Deputy Directors that participated, were largely sidelined.
Adekeye said over 80 percent of the teachers scored above 70 percent in the examination—well above the 60 percent benchmark set by the administration—yet only a fraction were promoted.
“This is unfair, especially considering that 80 percent of these teachers scored above 70%. The disparity is glaring, and it’s clear that teachers are being unfairly treated,” he wrote.
He condemned the justification that promotions were based on vacancies, stressing that such a policy is unjust and demoralising for teachers who have spent more than a decade at the same level without advancement.
“How can someone remain on the same level for 14 years without any hope of advancement? I watched my senior colleagues in tears having passed an examination but left unpromoted just because they were told there are no vacancies,” Adekeye lamented.
The unionist urged the Minister to emulate states like Lagos, Delta, and Kaduna, where promotions are awarded on merit rather than restricted by vacancies, ensuring teachers who qualify are elevated to the Directorate cadre.
“Promotion to Level 17 should be a right, not a privilege. Teachers are comfortable teaching in classrooms and earning as Directors rather than perpetually remaining Deputy Directors in offices,” he argued.
While acknowledging the efforts of the FCT administration in recent promotions, Adekeye called on the Minister to urgently review the policy to ensure fairness, dignity, and respect for teachers in the capital territory.
Read the open letter below;
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FCT
by Com. Ibukun Adekeye
Dear Honourable Minister,
I write to you today as a Teacher, a Unionist, and a Leader among FCT Teachers, to express our deep concern and disappointment over the recent promotion exercise. The results have left us feeling marginalised and neglected, despite being the backbone of the FCT civil service.
Out of 915 Deputy Directors who sat for the promotion examination, about 840 were Education Officers, forming about 92% of the total number of candidates. However, only 20 Education Officers were promoted, amounting to a mere 2.4% of the total number of Education Officers who sat for the examination. This is unfair, especially considering that 80% of these Teachers scored above 70%, exceeding the 60% benchmark set by your Administration.
The disparity is glaring, and it’s clear that Teachers are being unfairly treated. The claim that promotions are based on vacancies is not only demotivating, demoralising but also unjust. How can someone remain on the same level for 14 years, without any hope of advancement? I watched my senior colleagues in tears having passed an examination but was left unpromoted just because they were told, there are no vacancies. This is not only a question of welfare but also a matter of dignity.
We urge you to reconsider the promotion policy and make it based on merit rather than vacancies. Other states, such as Lagos, Delta, and Kaduna among others have shown that it’s possible to promote Teachers to the Directorate cadre based on their performances, without being limited by vacancies.
We request that you take immediate action to address this issue and ensure that Teachers in FCT are treated with the dignity and respect we deserve. Promotion to Level 17 should be a right, not a privilege. Teachers are comfortable teaching in our classrooms and earning as a Director than perpetually being a Deputy Director in an office.
While thanking you for the promotions so far, we hope that you will take our plea seriously and work towards creating a more just and equitable system for Teachers in FCT.
Sincerely,
Com. Ibukun Adekeye
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