ABEOKUTA– It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to this year’s World Teachers’ Day celebration, which takes place annually on October 5th across the globe.
As members of UNESCO and Education Internationale (E.I.), Nigerian teachers recognize the valuable contributions of our profession as the foundation for all others. Therefore, it is essential that we celebrate, appraise our progress, and look forward to better days ahead.
We also welcome our friends, admirers, allies, comrades, members of the media, and all freedom-loving people of Nigeria who have come to felicitate with us on this 31st global celebration of World Teachers’ Day.
As teachers, we are the prime movers of educational growth. In Nigeria, particularly within private institutions, this role carries immense responsibility. We are entrusted with shaping young minds, moulding them into the knowledgeable individuals and future leaders our society depends on.
The very survival and progress of our nation rest on the shoulders of its educators. It is, therefore, only right that we are recognized and acknowledged worldwide on a day like this.
Globally, the attention given to teachers is increasing. Students, parents, and national leaders in various countries continue to cite the important role of teachers in nation-building.
The quest for a “DECENT WORK AGENDA”—a global objective of the ILO, IPC, and NLC—is a goal that all labour unions must pursue to its logical conclusion. This agenda focuses on accessing rights, employment, social protection, and social dialogue.
This is especially critical for teacher unions such as ASUU, ASUP, COEASU, STAND, SSANIP, NUT, ASUSS, and of course, our own PRISCTUN.
THE 2025 THEME
This year’s theme, “Empowering Educators, Strengthening Resilience, Building Sustainability,” is both thought-provoking and perfectly aligned with the pursuits of teacher unions.
All teachers, from the kindergarten level up to the university, form a noble army accomplishing daily feats that are never praised and never decorated.
An army forever on the move, forever vigilant; an army without drums or gleaming uniforms. This army, thwarting traps and snares, plants the flag of knowledge and morality everywhere. We must be given our rightful place in the scheme of things to properly function as the light that leads people away from poverty, ignorance, and powerlessness.
Let me address the notion that educational standards are falling in Nigeria. This is a misconception. The real issue is that the inputs into our education system do not match the expected outputs.
The challenges affecting the efficiency and social responsibility of teachers are numerous:
* Pervasive examination malpractice.
* Deplorable pay for teachers, which currently ravages the private school sector.
* The absence of proper structures for career progression, which is worst in private schools.
* Unstable and inconsistent implementation of the National Policy on Education.
* The employment of untrained personnel in teaching and management roles.
* A lack of incentives and necessary working tools.
* Politicization of education and stagnation of professionals.
* Low morale and indiscipline resulting from infrequent school inspections.
* Poor salaries and other socio-economic factors.
We live in a nation where public amenities meant to aid service delivery—such as roads, healthcare, and water—are dysfunctional.
Therefore, the magic bullet for national rebranding and progress must start with a high investment in teachers. Empowering educators will breed results-oriented teaching services in both public and private spaces, which will, in turn, build a sustainable and resilient future for Nigeria.
PRISCTUN’s vision is for an appointed time, and we are working assiduously to ensure all anomalies that have plunged the private education sub-sector into a chaotic situation are eliminated.
We must also mention the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), to which we are proudly affiliated. The NLC leadership is composed of rare breeds: calculated, intelligent, and workaholic achievers who provide excellent guidance. We in PRISCTUN will intensify our quest to galvanize a well-coordinated officer corps for our Union.
THE HARD FACT
Even though today calls for celebration, the truth must be told.
Nigerian private school teachers are groaning, mournful, and grossly abused.
To empower private school educators in Nigeria, especially at the primary and secondary levels that PRISCTUN represents, the following areas must be addressed:
* Industry Minimum Salary and Wages
* Housing and Transport Allowances
* Annual Leave with Allowances
* A Functional Pension Scheme
* Redundancy Benefits
* Palliatives and Cost of Living Adjustments
* Maternity Leave and Benefits
* Meal and Inconvenience Allowances
* Death Benefits and Group Life Insurance
* Proper Documentation of Service (Contracts)
* Access to Medical Facilities and Loans
* Long Service Awards and Annual Increments
* Guaranteed Retirement Benefits
Private school teachers are among the worst victims of unfair labour practices in our country. There ought to be legislation, through an Act of Parliament, to protect these workers. We need a safeguarded and enduring framework to eliminate what can only be described as modern-day enslavement.
Nigeria will recover if teachers in both public and private institutions are taken care of appropriately. Drawing inspiration from this year’s theme, let us rise to the challenge with energy, the right strategy, and the commitment it takes to achieve our goal.
The Nigerian government can, and should, help the private sector through well-structured intervention programmes to assist school owners in overcoming their challenges. The contributions of private schools cannot be overstated. They fill critical gaps where public institutions are overstretched, contribute to socio-economic development, and create a healthy rivalry for excellence. This calls for positive intervention from both Federal and State governments.
THE NEW CURRICULUM
While the new curriculum is a good and well-conceived idea, its implementation strategy needs to be revisited. We thank God that our Minister of Education is a listening Minister. All areas needing refinement should be addressed to ensure a smooth sail for this laudable new initiative.
APPRECIATION
To my fellow Tutors, congratulations on World Teachers’ Day. You are all appreciated.
Best regards also to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) at both the national and state levels for your unwavering support. To the Labour Academy Centre, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and all members of the press who have elevated our cause, we say a big thank you.
To the proprietors in NAPPS and similar school owner associations, who employ over one million private school teachers in Nigeria, we thank you for providing us with the platform and opportunity to operate.
Wishing us all a wonderful celebration.
Long live PRISCTUN!
Long live the NLC!
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!
E-signed
Comrade Shokunbi Adelani
PRISCTUN OGUN STATE SECRETARY.
