Systemic failures: FG, State Govts must prioritise teachers’ professional developmentiatives
The recent revelations from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) are a projection of the daunting challenges facing our basic education sector.
The alarming shortage of qualified teachers, inadequate classrooms, and neglect of teachers’ professional development are issues that demand immediate attention from stakeholders.
The statistics are staggering – a deficit of 194,876 qualified teachers, a need for 1,107,854 new classrooms, and a lack of prioritisation of teachers’ professional development by state governments. These gaps are unacceptable and threaten the very foundation of our education system.
The blame lies squarely on the shoulders of state governments, who have failed to prioritise teachers’ professional development, despite receiving 10 per cent of the UBEC grant for this purpose.
This lack of commitment to the education sector is appalling and must be addressed. We call on the federal and state governments to take immediate action to address these gaps. Recruiting and training qualified teachers, building new classrooms, and prioritising teachers’ professional development are not negotiable. Our children’s future depends on it.
Furthermore, we urge the private sector to partner with the government in addressing these challenges. The implementation of the Universal Basic Education (UBE) programme requires a collective effort from all stakeholders.
As a nation, we cannot afford to neglect our basic education sector. The consequences of inaction will be dire, leading to a perpetuation of poverty, inequality, and social unrest. We must act now to ensure that our children receive the quality education they deserve.
While early childhood care and development education (ECCDE) and junior secondary school levels are overflowing with teachers, primary schools are struggling to make do with a meagre number of educators. In some rural areas, a paltry two or three teachers are shouldering the burden of an entire student population.
The report lays bare the ugly truth – primary schools are severely understaffed, and this shortage is a significant contributor to the learning poverty that plagues basic education in Nigeria. But what’s driving this teacher shortage? The answer lies in a toxic mix of systemic problems that have long plagued the education sector.
Firstly, many state governments have been asleep at the wheel, failing to recruit new teachers for years. As a result, the teaching workforce has been slowly eroded by retirement and other forms of attrition. And if that wasn’t enough, the “japa” syndrome – where talented teachers flee the profession for greener pastures – has created a perfect storm of understaffing. This is a crisis that demands immediate attention. We cannot afford to let our primary schools suffer due to a lack of teachers.
The welfare and working conditions of teachers in Nigeria have been a longstanding issue, driving qualified individuals away from the profession. This has resulted in a severe shortage of teachers, which is a crisis that can no longer be ignored. Education is the foundation of societal progress and economic prosperity, and teachers are the cornerstone of this foundation. They are not just instructors, but mentors, guides, and nurturers of young minds.
The dearth of primary school teachers in Nigeria demands immediate attention. It is unacceptable that many primary schools are severely understaffed, with some rural schools having as few as two or three teachers for the entire student population. This is a travesty that undermines the very fabric of our education system.
We urge the government to take swift action to address this crisis. Recruiting and retaining qualified teachers must be a priority, and their welfare and working conditions must be improved. This includes providing competitive salaries, benefits, and training opportunities.
Furthermore, we must recognise the value and dignity of teachers’ work. They are not just mere instructors but are entrusted with shaping the minds of future generations. We must treat them with the respect and appreciation they deserve.
It is important that the government collaborates with stakeholders now to address this crisis and ensure every Nigerian child receives the education they deserve. We urge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to prioritise swift and comprehensive implementation of policies and incentives to rejuvenate the teaching profession.
Efforts must focus on enhancing teachers’ welfare and working conditions, making teaching an appealing career choice for talented individuals. Additionally, state governments must step up by aggressively recruiting teachers to fill critical vacancies, especially in rural and underserved areas.
The future of Nigeria’s children and our nation hinges on the success of these initiatives. Investing in primary education and empowering teachers will unleash the potential of our youth, paving the way for a brighter, more prosperous Nigeria. Despite financial constraints, governments should consider redeploying trained teachers who have moved into administrative roles back to classrooms.
