Educationists are raising alarms about the hiring of unqualified teachers in private schools across Nigeria. This concern was highlighted at a recent workshop in Lagos organized by the Nigerian Teachers Community (NTC), which is the world’s largest online teacher forum with over 700,000 members globally.
Dr. Peter Ogudoro, leader of the NTC, addressed the issue at the workshop titled “Transformational Leadership in the Education Sector.” He warned that the rising number of unqualified teachers in private schools threatens the quality of education in Nigeria. Ogudoro stressed that it is crucial for private schools to hire only qualified, registered, and licensed teachers.
Ogudoro criticized many private school owners for lacking the professional skills needed to make informed hiring decisions. He urged these administrators to enhance their skills to ensure they employ properly qualified teachers. Despite many public school teachers being well-trained, Ogudoro noted that private schools often fall short in this regard.
The workshop aimed to provide school leaders with the tools to improve educational quality and make their students competitive on a global scale. Ogudoro highlighted that improving education could help address Nigeria’s high unemployment rates and alleviate poverty. He expressed hope that the training would lead to better hiring practices and encourage current teachers without proper credentials to pursue further education.
In addition, Ogudoro pointed out that Nigeria has underinvested in science education, resulting in graduates who struggle with practical applications in fields like engineering. To address this, the NTC and its partners are offering scholarships worth over N400 million to 20 students. These scholarships will allow students to receive quality education abroad, which will help them contribute to Nigeria’s development upon their return.
Ogudoro emphasized the importance of proper training and preparation for international exams, and the community is focusing on intensive classroom work and follow-up to ensure the students’ success.
Mrs. Naime Jahum, a school proprietress from Kano, attributed the problem of unqualified teachers to the high unemployment rate. She accused some unregistered private schools of prioritizing profit over quality education. Jahum called for schools to foster a reading culture in their curriculums to improve learning outcomes.
The NTC workshop highlighted the urgent need for better hiring practices and investment in teacher qualifications to improve Nigeria’s education system and help students thrive in a competitive global environment.
