The future of students at Ajuwa Grammar School in Okeagbe-Akoko, Ondo State, is increasingly dependent on the intervention of former students, who have resorted to hiring and paying teachers to keep learning activities running.

The situation has raised concerns among alumni and community stakeholders, who say the shortage of teachers across several subjects is undermining the quality of education available to students in the school.

With insufficient teaching staff, some former students have taken responsibility for recruiting Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) teachers to bridge the gap and prevent further disruption to academic activities.

One of the alumni, Joseph Dahunsi, has reportedly sponsored six PTA teachers at the school, paying each ₦40,000 monthly. Other former students have also supported the institution by employing teachers to handle subjects that would otherwise lack adequate instructors.

However, the arrangement faces uncertainty as Dahunsi has indicated plans to reduce the number of teachers he sponsors, citing personal reasons and other commitments. The decision has heightened concerns about how affected subjects will be covered if additional support is not secured.

The school, which has about 600 students, reportedly has only 19 teachers, including its principal and vice principals, despite requiring approximately 54 to adequately cover its teaching needs.

The shortage has forced school administrators to take on classroom duties alongside their administrative responsibilities, increasing the workload on the few available staff.

Stakeholders have warned that students could be disadvantaged in major examinations, particularly where they lack consistent instruction in core subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and English Language.

Ajayi Foluso Godwin, a STEM educator and former student, said the problem extends beyond Ajuwa Grammar School, with rural schools across parts of Ondo State also struggling to attract and retain teachers.

He urged alumni and community members to prioritise providing teachers rather than concentrating solely on paying examination registration fees, arguing that students need adequate preparation before sitting their examinations.

Another former student, Steve Arasanyin, called for a coordinated effort involving alumni, communities and the government to address the crisis, noting that prolonged teacher shortages could affect students’ academic performance and future opportunities.

The Ondo State Government, however, says it is taking steps to address the shortfall. The governor’s spokesperson, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said additional teachers were expected to be recruited, following earlier recruitment exercises involving more than 2,000 teachers for primary and secondary schools.

He added that the government intended to deploy additional personnel to schools facing severe shortages.

Until further recruitment translates into adequate staffing at affected schools, however, alumni and community members remain an important source of support for students whose education depends on having qualified teachers in the classroom.