Muhammad Sani Muazu
As the world observes World Teachers’ Day, educationists and teachers across Bauchi State have used the occasion to voice their concerns over the challenges facing the teaching profession. They are calling for immediate reforms to improve teachers’ welfare, professional development, and working conditions. This report highlights their voices and the pressing need for action to revitalize the profession, which is considered the backbone of societal development.
Aminu Makama Ilelah, an educationist at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, emphasized that World Teachers’ Day is meant to raise awareness about the importance of teachers and the teaching profession. “This day is meant to recognize the essential role teachers play in building society and to remind governments and stakeholders to invest more in education, particularly in teacher welfare and training. Sadly, the reality in Bauchi and much of Nigeria is far from ideal,” he said. Ilelah stressed that teachers in Bauchi face numerous challenges, including poor salaries, a lack of incentives, and insufficient training. “Successive governments have paid lip service to the welfare of teachers. If teachers are not properly cared for, how can they be expected to deliver quality education?” he asked.
Veteran teacher Rufa’i Muqaddas, who has nearly 30 years of experience in the profession, shared a similar sentiment. He emphasized the need for government intervention in supporting teachers’ education and ensuring better monitoring of their activities to maintain high standards. “The only way to address the challenges of teachers’ welfare in Nigeria is to develop a system like TETFUND, which sponsors lecturers at higher institutions, to sponsor teachers’ further education. Additionally, the government must establish a monitoring mechanism to check teachers’ activities and ensure they are performing their duties effectively,” Muqaddas suggested.
Dr. Musa Mudi Jahun, another educationist, lamented the current state of the teaching profession, pointing out that it is no longer celebrated or valued. “We are no more celebrating World Teachers’ Day the way it should be because teachers are not given the attention they deserve. Both the government and communities have neglected them,” he said. According to Jahun, teachers are in a “sorry state,” struggling with poor salaries, irregular promotions, and a lack of guaranteed pensions and gratuities. “Teachers’ salaries are barely enough to survive on, and when they retire, many do not receive their pensions or gratuities on time. All these issues have made the profession unappealing, and even the children of teachers no longer aspire to follow in their parents’ footsteps,” he added. He further explained that the failure to implement salary increases, even when teachers are promoted, is a demotivating factor that has driven many out of the profession. “The profession is becoming unpalatable, and nobody wants to become a teacher anymore. This decline needs urgent attention if we want to restore dignity to teaching in Nigeria,” Jahun stressed.
The neglect of teachers’ welfare is not only a governmental issue but also a societal one. Teachers in Bauchi State expressed frustration over the lack of respect they receive from their communities. According to Malam Muhammad Ali, a secondary school teacher, the social status of teachers has declined, making it difficult for them to garner support from the public. “In the past, teachers were respected figures in society. Today, many look down on us because of our poor pay and working conditions,” he said. Mrs. Zainab Abdullahi, another teacher, shared her emotional struggles in the profession. “It’s hard to stay motivated when you feel undervalued and underpaid. The government and communities need to work together to restore respect for the teaching profession,” she urged.
Educationists like Ilelah and Jahun agree that restoring the teaching profession in Nigeria will require substantial reforms, beginning with investment in teacher welfare and training. They called on both federal and state governments to prioritize the training and retraining of teachers, as well as the timely payment of salaries, pensions, and other benefits. “Teaching is not a profession that should be treated as a last resort for job seekers. It requires dedication and skill, and those who choose it deserve to be treated with dignity. We need to recruit quality individuals into the teaching profession, train them, and provide them with the necessary tools and support to succeed,” Ilelah stated. Muqaddas also stressed the importance of continuous professional development for teachers, adding that education is dynamic and teachers need to be equipped with the latest knowledge and technologies. “The government must prioritize the training of teachers to keep them updated with modern teaching methods. Without this, the students and future generations will suffer,” he warned.
As World Teachers’ Day comes and goes, the message from Bauchi State’s educationists and teachers is clear: more needs to be done to address the growing challenges facing the teaching profession. Without urgent reforms in teacher welfare, professional development, and community support, the future of education in Nigeria remains uncertain. It is time for governments and stakeholders to step up and give teachers the recognition and support they deserve for their vital role in shaping the nation.
Teachers may be the cornerstone of national development, but without proper investment in their welfare and training, the foundation upon which they stand is at risk of crumbling.
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