There is a popular saying that “the reward of a tecaher is in heaven”. Many parents, schools and even teacher shave run with this for ages. However, some other parents, schools, students and organisations honour teachers on days like teachers day and workers day. During this period, classrooms are filled with hand-drawn cards, social media brims with “Thank You, Teacher” posts, and appreciation ceremonies become the order of the dayBut, is this appreciation enough? Once the celebration is over, teachers immediately return to the condition of teaching they have been facing.
This recurring disconnect between praise and practice reveals a deeper truth, that what most societies call “appreciation” is often symbolic rather than structural. Real gratitude for teachers cannot end with words; it must translate into policies, respect, and support that improve their professional and personal lives. In a country like
Nigeria, where educators remain the backbone of every generation’s success despite dwindling morale, the conversation about appreciation must move beyond sentiment to sustainability.
Redefining appreciation beyond celebration
To truly appreciate teachers is to understand the weight of their daily reality. It means acknowledging that the woman standing before forty or fifty restless pupils is not simply performing a duty, but shaping lives under immense pressure. According to UNESCO’s 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report, teachers in sub-Saharan Africa, including Nigeria, earn significantly less than professionals with similar qualifications. Many public school teachers are owed months of arrears, and inflation steadily erodes the value of their pay. No amount of flowers or thank-you notes can make up for apaycheque that fails to meet basic living standards.
Appreciation, therefore, begins with fair compensation and respect for the teacher’s time. It also requires governments to view education budgets not as expenses but as investments. Teachers cannot give their best when their own lives are defined by economic struggle. When society values teachers through tangible improvements, timely salaries, retirement benefits, health coverage, and training opportunities, gratitude becomes measurable.
But appreciation is not only about money; it is also about dignity. Teachers must be treated as professionals, not volunteers. This means giving them a voice in educational policy, trusting their judgment in classroom management, and recognising their contributions as central to national development. In countries such as Finland and Singapore, teachers are seen asexperts whose opinions guide reforms. Nigeria’s education system would benefit immensely from such respect-based inclusion.
The human side of appreciation
Beyond policy, there is the emotional and psychological dimension of appreciation, the wellbeing of teachers. The teaching profession is often emotionally demanding, requiring patience, empathy, and creativity. Yet many teachers work under stress, with little recognition of their mental health needs. A 2023 Edugist survey revealed that nearly seven out of ten Nigerian teachers experience burnout, citing heavy workloads, poor infrastructure, and low societal respect as key factors.
Real appreciation must address these invisible burdens. Creating supportive work environments, reducing class sizes, and providing access tocounselling and wellness programmes are crucial steps. Schools that prioritise teacher wellbeing see higher morale, better student outcomes, and stronger community trust. When teachers are well cared for, they are more likely to inspire, innovate, and remain in the profession.
Appreciation should also extend to professional growth. Continuous training, mentorship programmes, and digital literacy workshops signal belief in teachers’ potential. A teacher who is encouraged to grow feels valued; one who is left to stagnate feels forgotten. UNESCO emphasises that consistent training improves not just teaching quality but also teacher retention. Therefore, providing ongoing opportunities for learning is one of the purest forms of gratitude, it says, “We believe in your growth as much as in your service.”
Building a culture of everyday respect
True appreciation for teachers cannot be an annual event, it must be a cultural habit. It starts with the way parents talk about teachers at home, the way students address them in school, and the way governments prioritise education in the national budget. Respect should not come only from pupils, but from policymakers, administrators, and society at large.
In Nigeria, teachers often face the dual burden of public criticism and systemic neglect. They are blamed for poor student performance while working with outdated curricula, inadequate resources, and unstable policies. To move beyond empty praise, the nation must address the roots of this problem by providing safe, well-equipped classrooms; reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks; and ensuring teachers have a say in decision-making processes.
Security is also part of appreciation. In conflict-prone regions, many teachers risk their lives to keep classrooms running. UNICEF reports that dozens of teachers have been abducted or displaced in northern Nigeria due to insecurity. Protecting their lives and dignity is the most fundamental expression of gratitude any nation can offer.
Appreciation also means visibility. The stories of teachers transforming lives in remote villages or underserved communities rarely make headlines. Media and educational institutions should spotlight these unsung heroes, educators who innovate despite hardship, who mentor students beyond academics, and who stand as moral anchors in their communities. Recognising their efforts publicly reinforces the idea that teaching is not a fallback career but a profession worthy of honour and national pride.
Conclusion: from symbolism to substance
It is easy to say “thank you.” It is much harder to build a system that shows gratitude. Real appreciation for teachers lies not in flowers, framed quotes, or themed events, but in consistent action, fair pay, better working conditions, professional respect, emotional support, and policy inclusion. It is in the way a nation prioritises teacher welfare in its budget, protects them in times of crisis, and celebrates them in its media. Teachers are not merely transmitters of knowledge; they are architects of every nation’s future. To appreciate them sincerely is to secure that future. So perhaps the next time we say “thank you,” we should back it with action, to ensure that no teacher feels unseen, underpaid, or unappreciated in a country that depends so deeply on their dedication.
