The Bad Treatment of Teachers: A Harbinger of National Decline

The treatment of teachers in any society serves as a barometer of its values and priorities. In Nigeria, the perpetual marginalization and neglect of educators has reached a crescendo, precipitating a crisis that threatens the very fabric of the nation’s education system. The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been at the forefront of advocating for the rights and welfare of university lecturers, but the government’s response has been characterized by incompetence, rhetoric, and a glaring disconnect from reality.

The Minister for Education’s handling of ASUU demands exemplifies this incompetence. Rather than engaging in constructive dialogue and seeking mutually beneficial solutions, the minister resorts to vacuous rhetoric, dismissing the union’s demands as unrealistic and unaffordable. The proposed salary increment of N2,500,000 for professors is deemed unsustainable, yet the government finds it feasible to upwardly review the salaries and allowances of political office holders. This dichotomy highlights the government’s skewed priorities and its apparent disregard for the welfare of educators.

This disparity is particularly egregious when juxtaposed with the government’s propensity for approving the establishment of new universities without commensurate funding or infrastructure. The proliferation of universities without adequate resources is counterproductive and doomed to fail. Instead of focusing on improving existing institutions, the government prioritizes quantity over quality, further exacerbating the decline of the education sector.

Furthermore, the federal government’s withholding of 3½ months’ salaries of university lecturers is an unconscionable act that underscores its callous disregard for the welfare of educators. The immediate release of these salaries is imperative, and the government must prioritize the payment of these emoluments to restore the dignity and livelihoods of lecturers.

In addition to the salary impasse, the issue of promotion arrears remains unresolved, with the federal government failing to release funds for lecturers’ promotions. This neglect has resulted in lecturers being denied their rightful entitlements, further demotivating them and undermining the education system. Moreover, the TETFUND NRF grants are often awarded based on influence rather than merit, denying deserving researchers the opportunity to contribute to the nation’s development.

The government’s recent offer of N10 million under the Tertiary Institutions Social Security Scheme Fund (TISSF) as a loan to university workers is woefully inadequate. A more comprehensive and beneficial approach would be to introduce a better housing loan scheme for university workers, enabling them to acquire decent housing and improve their overall well-being.

It is imperative that politicians in power learn to respect teachers rather than insulting their intellect. Teachers are nation-builders, responsible for training and mentoring future leaders, medical doctors, law enforcement agents, and other professionals. As such, they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. The federal government should eschew the path of past administrations that attempted to denigrate university teachers and punish them unjustly.

The wisdom of treating teachers with respect and honor is echoed in various cultures and faith traditions. The Quran reminds us, “And say: Work, for Allah will see your deeds, and (so will) His Messenger and the believers. And ye will be brought back to the Knower of the unseen and the seen. Then He will tell you what ye used to do” (Quran 9:105). Similarly, the Bible exhorts, “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance” (Proverbs 1:5). The African proverb, “When you educate a man, you educate an individual, but when you educate a woman, you educate a nation,” underscores the critical role of teachers in shaping the destiny of a nation.

The bad treatment of teachers in Nigeria is a sign of the nation’s collapse. The government must prioritize education and treat teachers with the dignity and respect they deserve. By doing so, the nation can harness the potential of its educators to drive development and progress. As the Hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) reminds us, “The ink of the scholar is mightier than the sword of the martyr.” It is time for Nigeria to recognize the value of its teachers and treat them with the respect and honor they deserve.

The egregious display of disregard by the Honourable Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, towards the impending industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is utterly deplorable. It bespeaks a profound disconnect from the realities of the Nigerian education sector and the plight of its esteemed lecturers.

In developed nations, intellectuals and educators are revered for their contributions to societal advancement. Alas, in Nigeria, they are met with apathy and disdain by those in authority. The brazen disrespect exhibited by Minister Alausa towards the warning strike underscores the government’s cavalier attitude towards the welfare of its educators.

The exodus of lecturers to greener pastures abroad and the trend of public university lecturers transitioning to private institutions underscore the dire conditions of service. It is hypocritical that while lecturers’ children, who attend public universities, are affected by the impending strike, the children of politicians, including the Minister, are schooled abroad.

If the Minister and the Federal Government are genuinely committed to the well-being of Nigeria and accountable to the Almighty, they must heed ASUU’s demands. It is imperative that they prioritise the education sector, address the grievances of lecturers, and provide conducive working conditions to foster a stable academic environment. The fate of Nigeria’s future generations hangs precariously in the balance.

KFA IBRAHIM,
ABUJA