On World Teachers’ Day, advocate canvasses better deals for tutors

Ahead of the World Teacher’s Day to be held tomorrow, Nguvu Change Leader, Wisdom Sunday, has stressed regular training of public school tutors in the country.

He also urged the government and citizens to unite behind a singular goal of bringing more qualified teachers into classrooms and providing them with the needed support to succeed.

Nigeria is home to one in every five of the world’s out-of-school children, while primary education, though officially free and compulsory, is still unattainable for millions of kids.

About 10.5 million children, aged five to 14, are out of school, with classrooms under-resourced and crowded,  thus unable to meet the demand for quality education.

Sunday said: “We cannot talk about quality education when our classrooms are overcrowded and our teachers are overwhelmed.

Teachers are supposed to be the backbone of our education system, but right now, they are struggling. Low wages, lack of motivation, and burnout are driving dedicated educators away from the profession. Those who remain are often too exhausted to focus on their primary mission of educating our children.

“Shortage of teachers has left over five million students behind, missing out on the chance for a brighter future. Even worse, many children are being exposed to physical and emotional harm by frustrated educators stretched beyond their limits. But this is not the way forward. We can, and we must, do better for Nigeria’s children.”

He also called on the Minister of Education to take bold steps, including increasing teachers’ salaries, providing professional development opportunities, and ensuring that teachers are held accountable for delivering quality education with integrity.

The community went on: “By making these changes, we will not only improve education, but also reduce incidents of child abuse and address the mental health challenges our students face. This is not just about fixing schools – it’s about securing the future of our nation. Education is the key to unlocking Nigeria’s potential, but it cannot happen without teachers. It’s time to take a stand.

“Support Wisdom’s petition today and join the movement to transform Nigeria’s education system by ensuring that every child has access to dedicated, well-supported teachers who are equipped to provide the quality education they deserve. Together, we can change the future – one teacher, one classroom, one child at a time.”