Union says teachers are becoming ‘survivors’ amid worsening hardship
By Victor Ahiuma-Young
LAGOS — The Precision, Electrical and Related Equipment Senior Staff Association (PERESSA) has warned that insecurity, economic hardship, poor remuneration and declining professional dignity are pushing Nigerian teachers to the brink.
The association issued the warning in a statement by its National President, Rufus Olusesan, to mark World Teachers’ Day, observed globally on October 5.
PERESSA said the annual celebration should go beyond speeches, ceremonies and commendations to addressing the harsh conditions confronting teachers across the country.
“Teaching is a noble profession and cherished by all as the bedrock of education but currently gasping for breath under the weight of insecurity, economic hardship, vanishing motivation, and a dangerous commercialization of education,” the association said.
It noted that while Nigerians celebrate teachers every October 5, many educators have little to celebrate because of the conditions under which they perform their duties.
“In Nigeria, to celebrate a teacher is to celebrate a survivor,” it said.
PERESSA noted that virtually every professional and national leader owed part of their journey to a teacher, yet educators remained among the least rewarded workers in the country.
“Behind every doctor, governor and engineer is a teacher, yet no profession in Nigeria bears as much burden with so little reward as teaching,” the association stated.
Insecurity
The association identified insecurity around schools and communities as one of the biggest threats to the teaching profession.
It recalled reported incidents of kidnapping, killings and displacement of teachers in different parts of the country, citing Chibok, Dapchi, Kaduna, Zamfara, Orire in Oyo State, Maiduguri in Borno State and Niger State.
“From Chibok to Dapchi, from Kaduna to Zamfara, to Orire in Oyo State, Maiduguri in Borno State to Niger State, teachers have been kidnapped, killed and displaced,” it said.
According to PERESSA, teachers in some rural communities had become vulnerable targets, while insecurity had forced some schools to close.
“In many villages, teachers are soft targets. In some states, schools are shut not because of strike, but because teachers are afraid to resume,” the association said.
It warned that leaving teachers exposed to insecurity could have serious consequences for the country’s educational development.
“You cannot build a nation when those who build minds live in palpable fear,” it declared.
Economic hardship
Beyond insecurity, PERESSA expressed concern over the economic hardship facing teachers, particularly those earning low wages amid rising costs of food, transportation, housing and other necessities.
The association alleged that some teachers in the country still earned between N30,000 and N70,000 monthly.
“A teacher in many states still earns N30,000 – N70,000,” it said.
It further alleged that some teachers had gone for months without receiving their salaries.
“Some states owe salaries for 8 to 12 months,” the association claimed.
PERESSA said rising transportation costs had further eroded teachers’ purchasing power.
“With inflation, transport fare has swallowed the teaching allowance,” it said.
The association asked: “How does a hungry teacher teach hungry children?”
It added that some teachers had resorted to commercial motorcycle riding, petty trading and private lessons after school to supplement their incomes.
“Many teachers now ride Okada after school, do petty trading, or private lessons just to survive. A teacher who is worrying about his own children’s school fees cannot give his best,” PERESSA said.
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