₦airaland Forum

...Teaching in a secondary school as a youth corper (NYSC) could after all be a stepping stone to becoming a professional teacher!

Sometimes last year I wrote on how teaching job is fast becoming lucrative in Nigeria here on Nairaland platform though some folks disagreed with me not believing the reality of the positive changes in the teaching profession but am glad that numerous Nigerian graduate saw the write-up as an eye opener about this noble profession. However after that write up I realize that many still ask the question 'HOW CAN ONE GO ABOUT IT?' despite the various teaching jobs openings everyday, this information will however, support their interest and quest for a better teaching job placement.

Meanwhile,to comprehend this write-up you may first need to read https://www.nairaland.com/1517304/teaching-job-now-hot-cake .

Like I will always emphasize, that this write up is not to advertise any establishment or an avenue to showcase my writing skill but to give a helping hand to those that possess the burning desire to teach and impact knowledge in a reputable school especially in an international school in Nigeria that pays well. I did not claim to know everything here but with my little knowledge in the field I believe someone life will be touched for good.
Now let me start by letting you know that I studied Geophysics and not pure education initially but I realized my potentials during my youth service year and I decided to develop myself in the teaching and mentoring profession moving on to acquire educational and professional qualifications including a PGDip Ed and M.Ed and other National and international recognized teaching certification and really today I am glad and happy for my decision even do it was almost late before the decision was made.

CLARIFICATION BETWEEN INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS AND OTHER SCHOOLS.

Before I proceed however, I will like to make it clear that it is not all the school using the word ‘International’ as part of their nomenclature are indeed international in the real sense of it many of them are not (AISEN) Association of International School Educators of Nigeria, although they are very good schools good enough to start your teaching career any time, we have hundreds of them all over Nigeria . But I will want to talk about the AISEN schools.

The AISEN schools runs Nigeria, British and America curricula, some of these schools run just British or America curriculum alone and they are all over Nigeria, they operate different salary structures for their staff and provide training for them both locally and international wise exposing them to the dynamic world of 21st century education. The method of teaching is computer based with the use of ICT and modern instructional facilities, to the best of my knowledge the salary ranges between N100,000 - N350,000 sometimes excluding accommodations and other benefits which may vary from one school to the other for subject teachers and even more for the position of Academics Coordinators, various departmental heads, Academic Directors ,Pastoral directors/Head, Vice principal , Principal etc, I must also quick to mention here that teaching job is not the only opening in these schools there are positions like Laboratory technologist/technicians, Pastoral jobs for House or Hostel parents ,sport coaches, Students counselors, Nurses/Matrons etc. apart from the medical jobs mentioned, all others must first and foremost be a qualified and certified teacher too.

Some of these schools include:

Nigerian – Turkish International College
Capital Science Academy (CSA)
Grange School lagos
Corona Secondary School – Agbara
St. Gregory”s College
Olashore International School (OIS)
Lumen Christi International High School – Uromi,
Vivian Fowler Memorial College for Girls
Loyola Jesuit College
Day waterman college ASU Ogun State.
Dowen College Lagos.
Atlantic Hall Epe Lagos
British International School.(BIS)
Redeemers International school Lagos.
Bloombred International secondary school Portharcourt.
Temple school Lagos.
Meadow Hall School.
Pampers School
Greensprings school
Lekki British International High School, Lekki Phase One

………….And many more... http://titithedynamite.


WHAT YOU MAY NEED TO QUALIFY TO TEACH IN THESE SCHOOLS?

It is important to note that each of these schools has their own recruitment policies which is personal and specific to them, but I will base the general qualities you need on the following:

1. BE QUALIFIED AS A PROFESSIONAL: It is a known fact that we live in a dynamic world where things changes every day and teaching profession is not excluded, to work in these schools require some educational qualifications and professionalism and if your first degree is not in education then you need to upgrade by acquiring one, for example get your PGDip.Ed in addition to your Bsc /HND /B.Tech /B.Agric, BA etc. except you are a graduate of NCE, Adv.Dip.Ed , BSc (Ed) or B.Ed.

The additional certification can be obtain in our various Nigeria universities, colleges of Education or better still the National Teachers Institute (NTI) and the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) the last two mentioned seems to be faster, cheaper and well recognized. Through the NTI you may be registered automatically as certified/registered teacher with the Teacher Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN).

Other international certification like the International Baccalaureate (IB), International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), Cambridge International Examination (CIE) SAT, TOEFL etc. Will be an added advantage for your quest; although, many schools provides training for their staff in order for them to acquire these certifications so never border yourself much on this except if you can afford it.

2. BE READY TO RELOCATE: [/b]You must be ready to relocate any time to any part of the country when the opportunities avails itself, as many of these schools are scattered all over Nigeria though we can find many of them around Lagos, Abuja, Abeokuta, Portharcourt, Ibadan, Offa, Enugu, Akure etc.

[b]3. BE A CERTIFIED/REGISTERED TEACHER: Endeavour to be registered with a teaching professional body in Nigeria e.g TRCN and other relevant bodies.

4. PACKAGE YOUR CV WELL: [/b]So many of us miss it here because your CV is the first to represent you and when it is wrongly done even if you are academically qualified the job still remain far from you. These schools showcases good and well trained Human Resources personnel to scrutinized CV. Let it always be known to them through your CV that you are passionate to help the children to develop their potentials and the various positive changes you will bring to the school when you are employed.

[b]5. BE CONFIDENT: [/b]Be sure of your self don’t pretend you know everything but be confident that you will impact positive changes to the life of the young ones, when you are interviewed never allow your take home or salary be the main focus but don’t appear too cheap.Before going for any interview, do some personal or internet findings about the school to get some basics information.


[b]6. GATHER EXPERIENCE: Little, little experiences will take you there, not very many graduate get the job without any teaching experiences, some schools may recruit fresh graduate for training and empowering them for the teaching job but you don’t need to wait for that so gather the experience even starting with your NYSC year if you are fortunate to serve in a school, even then get some experience.

7. BE READY TO START SMALL: Be ready to start small, even in that Mushrooms or small schools you felt is nothing could actually be the stepping stone to a better placement what you need is to gather the experience from teaching and use the period to develop yourself academically as these will go a long way to prepare you for any interview with the International schools it doesn't really matter how much you are paid at the moment.

8. BE COMPUTER LITERATE AND INTERNET FRIENDLY : We are in the computer age and things are fast done through the internet nowadays because 95% of the international schools do their businesses through the internet, this include job opening adverts, application processing and even aptitude test. Subscribe to educational job alert as this will keep you abreast of the numerous job openings. I must let you know that there are numerous job opening for teachers every month more especially in July-August every year.

Finally, I will like to end here by saying that Joblessness could lead to frustration...Until you start to teach you wouldn't know you are a good teacher, make a move now and as you start small you will soon become large..! God bless you.

tweetobyte:
Interesting write up.. I don't just like teaching as a profession. For me, it's boring. I'll prefer something more challenging and lucrative.