The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Lagos State chapter has decried the numerous challenges confronting the profession, including overcrowded classrooms, inadequate teaching tools, poor welfare, and a lack of institutional support for collaboration among educators.

Speaking at the 2025 World Teachers’ Day Celebration with the theme “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession” at the NUT Pavilion, Alausa, Ikeja, the State Chairman of NUT, Hassan Akintoye Mujeeb, said teachers across the state continue to face rising economic pressures and emotional stress despite their crucial role in shaping the future of Lagos.

Mujeeb lamented that while Lagos teachers remain committed to excellence, their working conditions have not kept pace with their contributions.

Teachers grapple daily with overcrowded classrooms, inadequate modern teaching tools, and the rising cost of living, which diminishes the value of their salaries. Beyond this, the emotional and psychological stress teachers face often goes unacknowledged,” he said.

He noted that one of the biggest obstacles to teacher development is the lack of structured platforms for collaboration and mentorship.

“Inadequate platforms for sustained teacher collaboration, heavy workloads that leave little room for peer learning, and insufficient recognition of teachers as partners in policy formulation remain persistent challenges,” Mujeeb stated.

He emphasised that the 2025 World Teachers’ Day reflects the urgent need to reimagine teaching as a shared effort among educators, government, parents, and society.

He called for stronger institutional support to make collaboration part of the education system, noting that teamwork and mentorship would ease teachers’ burdens and improve learning outcomes.

“If we are to live by the spirit of this year’s theme, we must do more to institutionalise collaboration. Teachers should be seen, not just as implementers, but as partners in education reform,” he added.

While commending Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration for maintaining an open-door policy and supporting teacher welfare, Mujeeb appealed for the approval of the 65 years of age or 40 years of service retirement policy for Lagos State teachers.

He reminded the governor that the policy had been passed into law at the federal level and domesticated in several states, including Delta, which earned its governor a national award.

“Lagos should not be left behind. Approving this policy will boost morale and cement your legacy as the governor who truly valued teachers,” Mujeeb appealed.

In his goodwill message, the National President of NUT, Audu Titus Amba, commended the Lagos State Government for its efforts in improving education and supporting teachers, but stressed that much more needs to be done to sustain quality education and strengthen the teaching profession.

“Let me use this opportunity to commend the Lagos State Government for its efforts in providing quality education and supporting teachers who are shaping the future of this state.

“According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), to recast teaching as a collaborative profession, the teaching profession should be supported by policies, practices, and environments that value mutual support and shared experiences,” he noted.