I remember a school owner calling Teachers flight Birds. One of those comments you’d want to ignore but I listened to learn more.  According to him, a Teacher would move from one school to another for as little as 5,000 Naira increment in pay. Thereby leaving the school owner stranded. The creation and filling of such gaps is a whole different concern that impacts directly on students’ learning.

Some knowledge just lay low in the corners of your mind until a situation comes calling. On one of the Teachers’ platform, I’m on, I noticed so much decorum that I began to wonder why other chat groups could not depict same. I was quick to conclude that Teachers were generally well behaved and as such the chat group only reflects a collective norm.  I couldn’t be more wrong. A job advert came along and practically disrupted the balance of the group. To restore balance, the group administrators had to create a parallel one to accommodate job hunting (by teachers, most of whom were already in employment). They explained that there had been a caveat on posting job vacancies on the group and apologized for the disruption. Then it started, everyone wanted in on the job vacancy board.  Aha, ‘flight birds’ activated!

It’s easy to deny the existence of a problem until we are faced with it. People wallow under so much weight, it only takes a nudge to get them speaking only to realize how much people endure.  The discussions that ensued within the group could only be described as revelations. Yes, except you already knew, one just had to be shocked at some of the issues that came to fore.

Did you know that some Teachers are on a yearly contract?  The long vacation starts around June of every year, only for schools to resume in September.  Since there’s practically no work done within this period, this category of Teachers do not expect to be paid salaries, some schools pay half of the salaries in order to retain good hands. This right here is probably how the idea of summer school started. Keeping children engaged during the long vacation in a bid to generate money to keep staff on payroll for the period. Schools that pay all year round literarily squeeze out every kobo of the money out of the Teachers, as they work harder and longer than in any other profession. Might I add that it is also rubbed in their faces? I mean, they are made to understand the favor being done to them.   Teachers are humiliated yet required to deliver impeccable service. The verbal abuse some teachers are subjected is best imagined. Unprintable language is used on them, of course, this has a direct impact on their self-esteem and confidence. Let’s not forget that a teacher is only as good as his psychological makeup at the time he enters the class to teach.  The students are the ones on the receiving end- in my own opinion.  Truth be told, some other schools do have very good welfare packages for their Teachers, but they come few and far between. 

We are aware of the situation in the Education sector and the role that the private schools have played so far in bridging the gap.  However, one would only play lip service if we say they all are deserving of the status. There’s a vast difference between and among these schools. From the issues pertaining to the ownership, administration, staff welfare, student affairs etc.  I’m inclined to ask that we look out for Teachers. The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) has mandated that all practicing teachers be registered. This is a step in the right direction, if well managed and implemented.  Next should be to regulate the welfare of Teachers, this should include salaries and general wellbeing. School owners who mistreat Teachers by way of physical, verbal or psychological assault should be brought to books.  I want to see happy Teachers, who would do their jobs wholeheartedly.

Can’t figure out how yet, but seriously, they need some help.