Every month, ‘10 teachers die’ in Lagos

The Lagos State Teachers’ Establishment and Pension Office (TEPO) on Tuesday said that an average of 10 teachers die each month in the post-primary teaching service of the state.

Sewanu Ayodele-Amosu, permanent secretary of TEPO, made the disclosure at a sensitisation seminar and capacity building on healthy living for post-primary teaching staff of the state.

She said apart from sudden collapse resulting in either temporary or permanent confinement in bed, the disturbing rate of deaths among teachers in the state called for concern.

According to her, in spite of the prevailing economic situation in the country, there is, arguably, scantiness of knowledge on healthy living.

“This is another contributory factor for this worrisome adverse health condition of the teachers,” she said.

“This health seminar will be held quarterly to educate teachers on the importance of healthy living and to provide support for those who have health challenges.

“This seminar is designed to effect real behavioural changes among staff of the post-primary teaching service and promote capacity for maintenance and sustainability of good and vibrant health.”

Idiat Adebule, deputy governor of Lagos, said the state government would continue to pay adequate attention to the needs of teachers as it recognised their role to humanity.

Adebule said the ministry of education was working with the ministry of health to issue health cards to teachers to enable them to access prompt medical care at the state’s health institutions.

“The health card will be part of the requirements for promotion as a way of motivating our teachers to go for regular health checks,” she said.

“I urge you to take out time and take care of yourselves and your health because it is only when you are healthy that you can deliver efficiently.”