Lagos: The Team Leader of Regalo Hope Foundation, Dr. Chinenye Onuorah, has made a passionate appeal to governments, religious bodies, private organizations, and philanthropists to take collective action aimed at improving the lives of Nigerian teachers.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Onuorah expressed her dissatisfaction with the current living and working conditions of some teachers in an interview. She highlighted the crucial role teachers play in character molding, describing them as mentors, counselors, and role models who deserve better care and rewards.
Dr. Onuorah emphasized that the neglect of teachers could lead to dire consequences for the future. She pointed out that teachers, although essential to the development of various professions such as doctors, engineers, and lawyers, often face delayed salaries, overcrowded classrooms, and poor infrastructure. Many teachers lack basic teaching resources like textbooks and electricity, yet they continue to work under challenging conditions.
She illustrated the struggles some teachers face, including the inability to afford basic needs, walking long distances to school, and taking on additional jobs to make ends meet. She urged for the creation of a system that respects, protects, and rewards teachers, emphasizing that the future depends on them.
The foundation, through its Support Fund, has been assisting teachers facing eviction by paying their rents, highlighting the precarious situation many of them find themselves in. Dr. Onuorah criticized the inhumane circumstances teachers endure, reiterating the critical role they play in shaping the future and calling for immediate reforms to restore dignity to the teaching profession.
She proposed several measures, including housing schemes with low-interest mortgages, comprehensive health insurance that covers mental health, modern teaching tools, internet access, and continuous training for teachers. Additionally, she advocated for pension reform and retirement security to ensure a better quality of life for teachers.