By Divramredje Lawrence Efeturi
Teaching is a noble and rewarding profession that can make a difference in the lives of many people. However, the fate of teachers in Nigeria is unfortunate. Many teachers in the country face numerous challenges that contribute to the low esteem of the teaching profession. They are serious issues that affect the quality of education and the well-being of teachers and students.
One of the major challenges facing teachers in Nigeria is poor remuneration.
Confirmed sources have revealed that the average salary for a teacher in Nigeria is ₦55,000 (Fifty five thousand naira) per month, which is very low compared to the cost of living and the inflation rate in the country. Teachers often receive low salaries, which makes it difficult for them to make ends meet. This not only affects their standard of living but also demoralizes them and contributes to the perception that teaching is not a lucrative profession.
Moreover, the working conditions for teachers in Nigeria are often unfavourable. Many schools lack the necessary infrastructure and resources, which hampers the ability of teachers to effectively carry out their duties. Inadequate classrooms, lack of teaching materials, lack of access to the internet and computers and overcrowded classrooms all contribute to a challenging teaching environment. These factors limit the teachers’ ability to deliver effective and engaging lessons and to keep up with the latest developments in their fields.
Additionally, there is a lack of support and recognition for teachers in Nigeria. Teachers often feel undervalued and unappreciated by the government and society. This lack of recognition diminishes the prestige and status of the teaching profession, leading to a low esteem among teachers themselves and discouraging new individuals from entering the profession.
Furthermore, there is a general lack of professional development opportunities for teachers in Nigeria. Continuous training and development are crucial for teachers to keep up with new teaching methods and pedagogical approaches. However, these opportunities are limited in Nigeria, which leads to stagnation and a lack of innovation within the profession.
Another problem that teachers face in Nigeria is the students’ indiscipline and violence. According to UNICEF, 85% of Nigerian children between the ages of one and fourteen experience violent discipline in schools, with nearly one in three children experiencing severe physical punishment. This can have negative effects on the students’ physical and mental health, academic performance, and social skills. Some students also exhibit aggressive and disrespectful behavior towards their teachers, sometimes even physically attacking them. This can create a hostile and unsafe atmosphere in the schools and undermine the teachers’ authority and dignity.
The consequences of these challenges are far-reaching. The low esteem of the teaching profession in Nigeria discourages talented individuals from pursuing careers in education. This leads to a shortage of qualified teachers and further exacerbates the existing problems in the education sector. The quality of education suffers, and students are not adequately prepared for the future.
These issues are not easy to solve, but they require urgent attention and action from the government, the education authorities, the teachers, the parents, and the students themselves.
In order to improve the fate of teachers and elevate the status of the teaching profession in Nigeria, several measures need to be taken. These include increasing teachers’ salaries and providing them with incentives and rewards for their hard work and dedication to reflect the current reality in the Country, today, and importance of their work.
Improving the infrastructure and working conditions, providing necessary facilities in the schools, providing teachers with adequate technological materials and investing in continuous professional development and training opportunities for teachers should not be underestimated, but rather over emphasized.
Ending corporal punishment in schools and adopting alternative methods of discipline that are respectful, positive, and constructive should be encouraged.
Culture of respect should be promoted. There should be dialogue among teachers, students, and parents and fostering a sense of responsibility and accountability among the students.
Additionally, society as a whole needs to recognize and appreciate the vital role that teachers play in shaping the future generation. This will help restore the prestige and esteem of the teaching profession in Nigeria, and attract talented individuals to join the field of education.
Divramredje Lawrence Efeturi, KSJI., writes from Delta State.
