Josiah Ajiboye, the immediate former registrar of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), says the federal government should establish a National Teachers’ and Caregivers’ Welfare Commission to address the challenges facing educators in the country.
Ajiboye spoke in Abuja on Friday during the Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) International Teachers’ Day celebration.
The former TRCN boss, who delivered a paper on ‘Valuing teacher voices: A panacea for a rejuvenated teacher education in Nigeria,’ stressed the need for a greater attention to be paid to the welfare of teachers and caregivers.
He expressed concern over the worsening state of the teaching profession in Nigeria and urged relevant authorities to take decisive actions, including creating platforms that allow teachers to actively participate in shaping educational policy, curriculum design and school governance.
He said teachers should be involved in policy-making processes, adding that platforms must be developed to ensure their voices are heard.
Ajiboye noted that the mechanisms should also be created to gather teachers’ feedback on ongoing professional development programmes to help educators enhance their teaching skills.
He further recommended the establishment of professional communities where teachers could collaborate, share experiences, and develop innovative teaching methods.
Ajiboye also advocated for a structured system where educators could provide feedback on educational reforms and policies.
He encouraged the government to promote leadership opportunities for teachers within their schools and communities through mentorship programmes and training in advocacy skills.
“Establish a national teachers’ and caregiver’s welfare commission where attention would be given to these two distinct categories of educators,” he said.
Ajiboye also urged the government to increase funding for education infrastructure, revise teachers’ welfare policies, and launch a nationwide recruitment campaign to attract more individuals into the teaching profession.
Expressing concern over the declining status of teachers in Nigeria, he warned that the profession is becoming endangered due to poor treatment, lack of recognition, and dwindling interest among young Nigerians.
He noted that the exodus of experienced educators to other professions has further worsened the situation.
“Teaching, once regarded as a noble profession, is now facing an existential crisis in Nigeria,” Ajiboye said.
“The alarming drop in interest in teaching as a career, along with the mass departure of qualified teachers, is a sign that urgent intervention is needed.
“It’s time to recognize the gravity of this issue and take immediate action to restore the dignity of teaching.”
