…Charge government to make teachers central in education policies

The Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), and some education stakeholders have called for sustained efforts by government, educational institutions, the private sector and communities to improve how teachers are trained, deployed, supported, rewarded and respected.

They lamented that too many young people hesitate to enter the teaching profession not because they lack a calling, but because teaching has been deprived of the dignity, security and reward it deserves.

They spoke at the weekend at the “Let There Be Teachers Conference 2026”, held at the Alfa Belgore Hall of the ABUAD campus, Ado Ekiti.

In his Keynote address, the convener of the “Let There Be Teachers”, Dr Oluwaseyi Anifowose, who spoke under the theme: From Record to Reform: A National Hope Attempt for Teachers, said education’s transformative potential cannot be realised by curriculum documents or school buildings alone, adding that it depends, in no small measure, on the teacher who brings learning to life.

According to Anifowose, a World Guinness record holder on largest gathering of teachers, Nigeria’s teachers’ challenge is part of a wider global concern. “UNESCO’s 2024 Global Report on Teachers projected a worldwide shortfall of 44 million primary and secondary teachers by 2030.

“The report highlights the need to recruit, train, empower and retain teachers through stronger support and investment. This is a warning that no country can afford to ignore, particularly one seeking to expand access to quality education and strengthen its human capital.

“So to the Hon Minister of Education, our policymakers and government representatives, we recognise the complexity of governing an education system. We know that resources are limited and competing demands are many. But we ask you to remember the person behind every policy.

“When you design an education policy, remember the teacher who must implement it. When you approve a programme, remember the teacher who must deliver it.
When you discuss learning outcomes, remember the person standing before the learners. When you demand accountability, provide the tools, resources, and support required for success.

“When you allocate resources to education, remember that teachers are not merely an item on a payroll. They are an investment in the future of the nation.”

In her address at the event, the Vice Chancellor of the ABUAD, Professor Smaranda Olarinde said that an honest national reform agenda must address at least five priorities.

“First, welfare and remuneration must reflect the weight of teachers’ responsibilities. Salaries should be paid promptly and reviewed responsibly, while working conditions should make teaching a viable and respected career for teachers and student.

“Second, continuous professional development must be practical, well-funded and sustained. Teachers need more than one-off workshop. They need mentorship, peer learning, professional support, exposure to the digital world, as learning is a lifelong process.

“Third, technology, digital literacy and emotional intellegence must be integrated meaningfully into teacher education. Teachers should be equipped to use emerging innovative teaching methods thoughtfully and confidently, while retaining the professional judgement and human connection that effective teaching requires.

“Fourth, public-private-institutional partnerships must move from goodwill to measurable action. Universities, government, professional bodies, businesses and civil society can co-invest in teacher preparation, classroom resources, schools infrastructure, research, mentorship and professional advancement.

“Fifth, and perhaps most fundamentally, we must restore the social honour of teaching. When a child says, “I want to be a teacher,” that aspiration should be met with the same pride and encouragement accorded to a child who wishes to become a doctor, engineer or lawyer.

“There is an urgent need for an intentional mind set to reinstate the dignity and recognition of teaching profession.”

Also speaking at the conference, Taiwo Babawale, the Ekiti state Coordinator Let there be Teachers, said that the conference should not just be a talk shop. “We are there to hand you the tools to survive and thrive.

Through the workshops on Curriculum, Emotional Development, Classroom Management, and Hand Burnout, we are saying to you: We care about your mind. We care about you soul. And we care about your future.

“Let us make this conference a turning point. Not just for the 1,500 of us in the hall, but for the millions of children who look into your eyes every morning. waiting for a spark.”