By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo
Teaching is a noble profession, because it has a productive tenacity, prestige and integrity.If you are being called a teacher, you should be proud of that.The simple reason is, you are impacting knowledge to others.Even in the sight of God Teachers have a special place.
Essentially,without Teachers the world would experience stagnantion in all aspects of professions. Unfortunately,we are in a Nation where Teachers are relegated to the background.
In our clime teaching as a profession does not hold sway, because of the poor remuneration.People see teaching as the last resort when they do not have options.
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Not minding the progress and welfare of Teachers in our country did not begin today so blaming the current leaders for Teachers’ woes would be an injustice.As a primary school pupil in Ilorin my teachers then were the best of men and women, because you see them impacting knowledge with utmost seriousness and moral standard.
But leaving the school and see one’s teachers there after usually immuned to instant jubilation and joy, because they are not living like ones who have worked tirelessly to build our Nation.In other words, Teachers are the nation builders;we can’t do without them.
I do not know till today why Teachers are poorly paid in most African countries.I have never been to United Kingdom or United States or even China.But the account of those who have been into those countries proved that Teachers are well taking care of.
In Nigeria, the situation is so bad that pupils that teachers have taught in primary schools would later live well than them, because they are lucky not to be in teaching profession.
It is significant to say there are empirical evidence that Teachers in Nigeria are underpaid.The only group of teachers who are doing relatively well are the Teachers in Federal Unity Schools and those who teach in a high class Private schools.
It is not good for a teacher who has done so well in raising leaders of tomorrow academically and morally to begin to look for money to buy drugs after retirement.It is not something hidden it is happening to Teachers in Nigeria.I have seen teachers that taught me in primary and I was not impressed with their current status.Some of them that taught me in secondary schools were able to leave teaching and that is why their lives are better today.I didn’t write this piece to ridicule my teachers but for the society and government to see it as a wake up call in addressing the suffering of Teachers in Nigeria. Although there are many writers in Nigeria who have used their pens to advocate for better wages for teachers over the years so mine can’t be said to be new.
I hope and pray that a Government will come in Nigeria to make a teaching profession attractive and the one that is full of prestige and honour.At this juncture I must commend few state Governors who identify with the teachers by giving them special award and remuneration,in fact, sometimes a car gift to the best teachers.It is one of the ways to boost their morale.
President Tinubu’s administration just came onboard few months ago, but God in His infinite mercies can use him to change the lives of our teachers for better and best.
I celebrate you all my teachers from primary to University and all teachers all over the world.You will live in good health and reap every good you have put in the lives of Nigerian children
Our Teachers deserve better living;their reward is not only in the heaven but also in this world.
