In a recent conversation with a concerned educator, the dire conditions faced by teachers in private schools across South West Nigeria have been brought to light by Ndubuisi Martins, educator and publisher at peaquills reviews.
The discussion touched upon the paltry salaries, overwhelming workload, and economic challenges that teachers endure in the pursuit of education.
The shocking revelation came as a friend recounted stories of educators receiving salaries as low as 15,000 to 20,000 Naira per month in certain institutions in Akure. This revelation left many questioning the ethics of the private education sector, especially given the sacrifices and efforts teachers put into shaping the future generation.
One educator, who had firsthand experience teaching in a private secondary school in Ibadan, shared their story of struggling to make ends meet. Despite dedicating themselves to the noble task of educating the youth, their earnings were deemed insufficient to cover even basic expenses. This led them to take on additional content writing jobs as a means of survival.
The educator’s dissatisfaction reached a tipping point when they recognized that their income from content writing surpassed what they earned from teaching. This realization led them to pursue further education by taking IELTS, GRE, and TOEFL exams, ultimately securing higher-paying opportunities outside the classroom.
A strong message was directed towards the proprietors of these private schools in the region, highlighting the moral obligation to provide teachers with adequate compensation that reflects the value of their work. The impassioned message expressed concern over teachers being burdened with teaching multiple subjects and excessive workload while receiving meagre wages.
“Proprietors of private schools in Nigeria, you make good profits, pay your teachers fairly, without considering their economic challenges,” the message read. The urgency of the matter was underscored by a declaration that those who exploit their teaching staff for personal gains would face consequences in the afterlife.
Conversely, the message commended those school owners who recognize the importance of treating their staff justly. It wished them blessings and prosperity for their humane character and fair treatment of their educators.
The situation has ignited a discourse on social media platforms, with many users sharing their own experiences and opinions on the matter. The call for reform in the private education sector has gained momentum as educators, parents, and concerned citizens join forces to demand better treatment for teachers.
This revelation has opened the doors to much-needed conversations about the quality of education and the well-being of educators in South West Nigeria’s private schools. As the public demands accountability and fairness from school proprietors, it remains to be seen whether positive changes will be implemented to improve the lives of teachers who contribute so much to the nation’s future.
