This week’s #ZikokoWhatSheSaid subject is a 31-year-old Nigerian woman who has seen shege as a teacher trying to make a change. She talks about deciding to pursue the profession NYSC forced on her, being bullied by students in a private school and considering teaching in South Korea instead.

How long have you been a teacher?
Four years and a few months now. Although I studied history and international relations in uni, I thought I’d change the world by teaching the leaders of tomorrow.

What inspired this interest?
NYSC. In 2017, I was posted to a private school in Ogbomoso. To my surprise, it was just as run down as I would’ve expected a government school to be. The whole school had five teachers, and the 100+ children were learning nothing. The management was unserious, the classroom facilities were poor, there were barely any teaching aids or books, and there were no computers. The parents of the students were just getting by. They didn’t know how to hold the management accountable.

The state of the school made me so scared about the quality of people we were pushing out into society as the next generation. I was sad, angry, and I wanted to do something about it.

What did you do?
I decided I’d teach and gain enough skills, experience, and eventually, the funds to either start my own school or an education-focused NGO. At first, I thought I’d enter the civil service so I could help at a more universal level. But I discovered early the amount of politics it took to even get into the system. I also needed to earn enough to actually make a living.

Do private schools pay better?
Well, they’re easier to gain employment with. I got my first job easily because the school management was even surprised I’d want to work for them given my credentials — I graduated with a first class from a top private university. Even my friends and family were shocked; everyone thought I was making a big mistake. But I honestly couldn’t sleep well at night knowing most children were getting poor education even though they were attending school. I just felt so worked up about it; it’s not something I can readily explain.

What was your experience at this first job?
I was given a wake-up call very quickly.

It was a private secondary school in Yaba, and I was a teacher’s assistant — I didn’t have a teaching license or certifications. I also needed to have taught the curriculum for a year before I could be a full teacher. My NYSC experience didn’t count even though I performed the responsibilities of a full teacher during that time.

From the beginning, I was constantly shut down when suggesting ideas to management. I wanted to push for a more empathetic approach to dealing with the students. But in hindsight, I can see how having a newbie act like she knows it all in just over a year of being a teacher could be annoying.

How did they react?
One day, the school administrator sat me down and said, “Look, we like how you’re trying to make everything nice and good-looking, but we didn’t hire you for rebranding work. There’s no room for that here. The parents are barely able to pay school fees, you’re talking of giving their children special treatment.” I was mum.

This was seven months in. I left the next month, but I grew up a little. I wasn’t going to make a change overnight. I’ll probably never even make a change.

Don’t say that. What kept you going then?
Everyone involved was so resistant to change. And the truth is I didn’t know what I was doing. What did I really have to offer? Just good intentions?

But stubbornness was what kept me going. I needed to prove myself and everyone wrong. Also, I truly cared about these students. I wanted them to get the type of education I got in this same Naija. It’s unfair that a greater majority of Nigerians don’t have access to a basic standard of education because of their parents’ financial circumstances.

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True. So what happened next?
After staying home for about three months, I got a job at a better quality school. But believe me when I say the parents were paying a lot of money — not as much as popular elite schools, but it was a lot — for just fine wall painting and uniform. Their children were learning nothing. The teachers were nonchalant, using handwritten teaching guides that were at least a decade old.

If most parents knew how ill-prepared their children were to compete in the future world of works, they’d be shocked.

Were you at least able to make a difference there?
Yes and no. I stayed for about two and a half years, and I was able to get through to members of management to some extent. I was moved into administration and operations six months in, only taking special classes in speaking and diction once or twice a week. As deputy administrator, I was able to enforce annual review of the teachers’ notes to make sure they stay relevant. The teachers resented me for this.

To be honest, I didn’t feel like I was making real lasting change because I was sure they’d ignore all my policies as soon as I leave the school, and they filled the role with someone more laid back. However, the changes I may or may not have made weren’t the most memorable thing about my stay in the school.

What was?
The bullying. I’m sure you think I’m referring to student on student, but no. I mean, students bullying teachers. It was rampant.

Read full story here: https://www.zikoko.com/her/what-she-said-ive-given-up-on-teaching-in-nigeria/

Lady as a teacher can be overlooked provided she has a financially capable man but a man as a teacher is a no no no and no.

I gave up on it too. Since then, my life has never remained the same (for good).

Some of us are born to be teacher. Thats why it pain us when our youngsters are not getting quality education. Personally, i'm a mathematician & i can make d dullest student to become a mathematician & solving both waec & jamb question on his/her own. I love teaching to the core, but the salary structure of literally all schools in Nigeria, can not pay the bills. & getting one with government school is strictly political/connection, thats y our schools reeks of incompetence. I really wish nigeria will work on its education sector.

LordIsaac:
I gave up on it too. Since then, my life has never remained the same (for good).

hi I saw your pm

Teaching is suffering in this part of the world

FlamingoCityTv:
hi I saw your pm

Oh thanks. Are you walspring?

Teachers are underrated, underpaid & undervalued in this part of the world. 🌍

LordIsaac:

Oh thanks. Are you walspring?

This is walspring. Any better dey ?

Walspring:


This is walspring. Any better dey ?

Ok...we have tidied the better already.

Walspring:


This is walspring. Any better dey ?

please check your mail

ogeoflyf:
please check your mail

I didn’t see any mail from you yet. Check yours please.

Good day, I would like to contact you about my interview coming up next week. Thanks

Walspring:


I didn’t see any mail from you yet. Check yours please.

Ogundare26:
Good day, I would like to contact you about my interview coming up next week. Thanks

Hello Walspring pls how can I contact you 🙏🏾

Most teachers are really suffering.