Private primary and secondary schools in Oyo State, South-West Nigeria, are grappling with a significant teacher shortage, following recent developments in the education sector.
Sources reveal that the shortage is evident in key cities and towns such as Ogbomoso, Oyo, Saki, Iseyin, and Eruwa, among others. The situation became apparent at the start of the second term of the 2024/2025 academic session on January 6, 2025, as numerous teachers in private schools failed to resume.
This development is linked to the Oyo State Government’s recruitment of over 5,600 teachers and the implementation of a new N80,000 minimum wage for workers. Many of the newly employed government teachers were previously teaching in private schools.
The Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) distributed appointment letters to the new recruits across the state, with SUBEB Chairman Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran urging them to adopt innovative teaching methods and maintain professional diligence. He acknowledged disparities in teacher distribution across local governments and promised equitable redistribution.
Dr. Adeniran encouraged the new teachers to “be creative, adaptive, and progressive,” emphasizing their role in revolutionizing basic education in the state.
Private schools, however, are feeling the strain. Reports from areas such as Ibadan, Lagelu, Ona Ara, and other local government areas indicate that private schools are struggling to retain and replace teachers who left for government positions.
A school administrator in Lagelu revealed that over 20 teachers had resigned, attributing this to the government’s recruitment drive and the appeal of the new minimum wage. “We now need to increase salaries to attract and retain quality teachers,” he said.
Similarly, Mrs. Busayo Akindele, a teacher in Ibadan North, confirmed that her school had lost three teachers this term and was seeking replacements.
Parents have also expressed concerns. Mrs. Sade Oladele from Ido praised the government’s recruitment efforts but noted the adverse effects on private schools, while Omolara, a resident of Iseyin, highlighted similar challenges in the Oke Ogun geopolitical zone.
The consensus among stakeholders is that while the government’s initiatives are commendable for improving public education, private schools now face significant challenges in retaining qualified teachers, especially amid the financial pressures of meeting the new minimum wage.
Peoplesmind
