Rejig education sector for effectiveness, stakeholders urge government

Governments at all levels have been urged to rejig the Education Sector in line with international standards in the overall interest of the younger generation.

Experts in the education sector said the budget of education needs to be jerked up to enhance the welfare package of the teachers .

In Nigeria, the issue of teachers’ shortage has become a source of worry especially at the basic and senior secondary education sub-sectors.

The number of registered teachers on the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) database by 2023 is 2.3 million, and a report said that Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Rivers, Kwara, Gombe, and Katsina states were plagued by the shortage of teachers in public schools

Corroborating the findings, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on its part stated that a total of 175,000 qualified teachers are needed to fill the capacity gaps in addressing the challenge of inadequate qualified teachers in Nigerian schools.

According to a report, some of the people teaching in schools are holders of the first school leaving certificate, basic education certificate, senior secondary school certificate, associate certificate in education, diploma certificate leaving the education sector at a critical junction.

The Chairman of Nigeria Union of Teachers, Ondo State Chapter, Mr. Victor Amoko said the present administration took the teachers welfare and entitlement in high esteem

On the Shortage of teachers in Ondo State, Amoko said the state government
is already working towards ensuring qualitative teachers are in the public schools.

A Public Affairs Analyst, Mr. Lekan Olajobi attributed shortage of teachers in Nigeria to poor renumeration packages, lack of training among others.

Olajobi pleaded with government to look into the budget of education, training and re-training of teachers .

Others said there is the need for critical stakeholders in the education sector to make the profession more appealing and a compelling one.