Matters Arising as Nigeria commemorates World Teachers Day

The United Nations Education and scientific Organisation ( UNESCO ) in 1994 set aside the 5th of October of every year as World teachers day aimed at celebrating the world of teachers and major stakeholders in the delivery of quality education at all levels. In the same vein, the Nigerian Union of teachers ( NUC ) has directed its members to capitalise on this day in focusing on sensitising the public against the spread of the Ebola Deadly Virus. Over the years however, there had been some issues pertaining to teachers and the teaching profession which has been of concern to the government and other stakeholders around the country and also around the world. Some of which includes : _ Inadequate teachers, particularly at the basic / primary education levels _ Poor quality of Teachers and _ Poor welfare packages for teachers. These factors and many more has been identified as some of the problems militating against effective educational system in Nigeria. Teachers welfare has been the major problem considered as affecting the teaching profession based on the report of the National economic summit held in Abuja earlier these year of which the government has been adviced to specifically channel its resources on if the nation must produce the needed manpower needed to boost its economy. According to a report from the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Nigerian Union of teachers, Mr. Segun Rahim, emphasis was on lack of motivation which has been the cankerworm beneath the underperformance of the Nigerian teachers when compared with their counterparts in other developed world. He also empasised on a creation of a special salary scheme structure thereby investing on teachers and unleashing of necessary motivations to make the teaching profession a competive one. Setting aside a special funding scheme probably from the total allocation given to the local governments from the federal pulse directed at meeting the needs of the teachers especially at the basic education levels could go a long way. In the same vein, prof. Peter Okebukola ( a former Executive Secretary, National University Commission ) emphasised on setting up series of quality trainings for the teachers as according to him, most of the teachers are not well prepared at the early stage of their carrer and cannot deliver since you cant give what you dont have. It was noted also that the governments attempt to scrap the Teachers Education Council of Nigeria wil negatively affect the profession as this will likely downgrade the teaching profession across Nigeria but rather suggestions were that the government should setup a committee to examine the activities of the council with a view to upgrading the teaching profession.