The shortage of teachers in Lagos schools has become a cause for concern, prompting the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) to call for urgent action. The Chairman of NUT, Akintoye Hassan, expressed his worries over the retirement of teachers without proper replacements. While other states have already implemented bills to elongate the retirement age of teachers, Lagos is yet to take action. Hassan urged the Lagos Government to address this issue promptly by recruiting more teachers to fill the current shortages.
Furthermore, Hassan highlighted the Japa Syndrome, where numerous teachers have relocated to countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and others. He expressed concern that newly trained teachers from Colleges of Education are not being absorbed into the system, exacerbating the shortage of educators in schools. In the past, upon completing their training, teachers would simply fill out forms to be assigned to their preferred schools. To ensure quality education, Hassan emphasized the importance of human capital development through increased recruitment of teachers, which would also contribute to teacher independence.
Despite these challenges, Hassan acknowledged the efforts made by the Lagos State Government in terms of timely salary payments, teacher training programs, and infrastructural development. The government has taken steps to address the lack of furniture in schools and has provided excess tables and chairs through various sources. However, the influx of people relocating to Lagos and the economic situation has led to overcrowding in classrooms as more parents enroll their children in public schools. This overcrowding has further highlighted the shortage of teachers in Lagos schools.
Hassan also emphasized the need for affordable accommodation for teachers who find it difficult to live close to their teaching locations, often residing outside of Lagos. He called for an increase in teacher salaries to account for the rising cost of living, particularly transportation and food expenses.
In conclusion, the shortage of teachers in Lagos schools has become a pressing issue, with retiring teachers not being adequately replaced and many educators opting to relocate to other countries. The NUT has urged the Lagos State Government to implement the elongation of teachers’ retirement age and increase recruitment efforts to address the dearth of teachers. The provision of affordable accommodation and salary adjustments were also highlighted as crucial steps in resolving the shortage of teachers in Lagos schools. By taking immediate action, the government can ensure that students receive quality education and foster positive development within the educational system.
