By AUGUSTINE GIFT
Residents of Jos have lauded Nigerian teachers for their dedication and sacrifice, while calling on governments at all levels to improve their welfare as the world marks World Teachers’ Day.
In an interview with THE NIGERIA STANDARD, Miss Sandra Adebayo, who retired from teaching in July this year after 16 years of service, described Teachers’ Day as a special occasion set aside to celebrate teachers, just like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
According to her, her most memorable moments were when her students understood her lessons and when she saw former students graduate and secure jobs.
She, however, decried the poor pay in the profession, saying, “It is appalling that we still have teachers earning as low as N15,000 a month. Government needs to collaborate with and regulate private schools because many are not doing justice to teachers’ welfare.”
Miss Adebayo further appealed to government to create empowerment programmes for teachers to support them beyond salaries.
On young teachers, she advised: “Do not depend on teaching alone. Teaching is a noble profession, but the economy is not smiling. Use your free time to learn a skill, get a side hustle and be an entrepreneur. Keep the faith.”
Teachers seek better pay, reduced workload
Also speaking, a computer teacher at Divine Grace Enabling Academy, Rukuba Road, Jos, Mr Bernard Akpasubi, who has been teaching for nine years, said the job was demanding because of the heavy workload.
According to him, “It is tough because I live far from the school, so I spend much on transportation. Aside from that, I teach a large number of classes in a day, sometimes up to five or six, so the workload is much.
“Sometimes I get very tired. But seeing my students in the computer lab, knowing how to type, browse and operate the system, gives me joy. That joy makes me forget the stress.”
He called on government and private school owners to increase teachers’ salaries, reduce their workload and provide regular digital training to enhance productivity.
A parent, Mrs Catherine Basorun, applauded teachers for their patience with children.
She said the teachers teach children from their formative years on how to read and write from scratch.
According to her, “My son can now spell very well and read long sentences on his own. I really appreciate his teachers for their efforts. They tried for him.”
Similarly, a student of Isaac Excellent Academy, Jos, along Rukuba Road, Miss Emmanuella Danlami, who described herself as a slow learner, also commended her teachers for their patience.
She said: “I am a slow learner. But my teachers never gave up on me. They always explained again and again until I understood. Now I can read and answer questions in class. They are like my second parents.”