Private school teachers lament economic hardship, seek pay raise

Private school teachers in Nigeria are grappling with the harsh economic conditions brought on by the current challenging economic climate.

The pervasive impact of inflation extends from soaring transport fares and escalating costs of foodstuffs, accommodation, to clothing, leaving teachers financially strained.

A select few who engage in after-school home coaching manage to navigate these challenges, while those dependent on a single income source find their salaries insufficient to meet personal, let alone familial, needs.

Resorting to loans with exorbitant interest rates becomes a desperate financial strategy for many educators.

As the first academic term of the 2023/2024 session concludes, there is an anticipation that school owners will consider salary adjustments to alleviate the burden caused by inflation.

Despite the promised palliative measures to mitigate the effects of subsidy removal, the grim reality persists, with most Nigerians, particularly private school teachers, feeling the brunt.

Amidst teachers voicing concerns about inadequate remuneration and welfare, school owners attribute delays in salary increments to the escalating operational costs.

Simultaneously, parents, anticipating school fee hikes, acknowledge the inevitability of shouldering additional financial burdens.

Teachers’ Perspectives on Economic Challenges

In a conversation with Afri Reporters, Dapo Atoki, a private school teacher and vice-principal, highlighted the economic challenges faced by private school teachers in Nigeria.

He emphasized the need for alternative income sources due to the lack of government support, expressing concern that salaries do not reflect teachers’ experience.

Dapo Atoki, told Afri Reporters, “Like every other private school teachers, the current economic hardship occasioned by the present economic hardship in Nigeria can only be navigated and tackled by looking for extra source of income outside the salary as the government does not offer palliative and cushion to private school teachers the way they do to public school teachers.”

He added, “Without any iota of fear of favour, my current salary is not in tandem with the experience I bring to my role. This is same with 99% of private school teachers.”

Atoki also addressed the impact of rising transport costs on his finances.

“My transport fare has been increased, like all Nigerians with a Geometrical Progression(GP) but with no attendant increase in salary ! This, of course, has an attendant negative impact on my finance.”

He continued, “I have never considered [a] loan to meet my financial obligations, even when I was pursuing my Masters degree.”

While acknowledging a recent salary increase by his employer, Atoki stressed that it didn’t align with the economic hardship and inflation. Despite time constraints, he advised fellow teachers to explore additional income streams, plan for retirement, and pursue further education.

Another teacher from the southeastern part of Nigeria, Gbemisola Soyombo, shared her experience, noting the harsh impact of the economic climate on the educational sector.

According to her, she opted for part-time teaching in multiple schools to supplement her income, cut down on expenses, and advised fellow teachers to embrace side hustles.

“The economic climate has had a harsh impact on every sector in the nation including the educational sector. As, a teacher, I have opted for part-time teaching in different schools to augment my take home salary.

“I have equally cut down on some expenses to cope with the stern impact

“My salary as a teacher who has remained resilient in giving her best regardless of the remuneration does not commensurate with the my input

“Personally, the inflation on transportation cost has its share on financial well-being. However, I have been able to cope,as I don’t spend money on transportation to my place of work, and spend not so much to the market and church,” Soyombo told Afri Reporters.

Abigail Taiwo Ibikunle, a Lagos-based teacher and communications expert, highlighted the versatile nature of teachers. While acknowledging the economic challenges, she expressed passion for teaching as a calling.

She said, “Just like the regular saying in my current place of work where I teach, a teacher can be anything because you’re creatively versatile. When you know your onions well, you’d be able to manage every situation and seasons bearing in mind its uniqueness. Personally, teaching is a calling to me and so, the remuneration is the least motivating factor. I have other things that I do as I have mentioned in my introduction. With that, and of course with adequate support from my partner, I’ve been able to manage the current economic climate well.

“If it is left to the current salary I earn, I won’t even consider teaching. But for me, teaching is beyond a profession, it’s a calling that I’m sold out to. With over 13 years of teaching experience, I can say boldly that no amount of salary can ever compare to the experiences, impacts, values and virtues that a true, passionate and experienced teacher brings to the table. Teachers are not just professionals, we’re builders of lives and destinies. When you find a committed teacher, they become everything to the their children.”

Abigael emphasized the importance of managing finances wisely, living below one’s means, and diversifying income through various business ventures.

Commending her supportive employer, Abigael detailed her roles as a virtual assistant, editor, proofreader, and entrepreneur.

She underscored the significance of time management for teachers and shared her commitment to balancing teaching with other responsibilities, including family support.

Ismail Awofe Agbeyinka, an English Language teacher based in Lagos State, Nigeria, shared insights into the challenges faced in his profession.

Reflecting on the adaptability ingrained in Nigerian culture, he acknowledged the difficulties but emphasized the resilience to navigate life’s complexities.

“Well, to say it’s been uneasy would even be an understatement, but as a Nigerian, and what we are known for, we always adapt and live the life the way it appears,” he said.

Agbeyinka cautioned against succumbing to depression, underscoring the importance of not compounding challenges with emotional distress.

He advised that “One must not allow depression to set in to avoid adding salt to an injury.”

Highlighting the discrepancy between the value of educators and their remuneration, he expressed concern that his salary doesn’t align with the expertise and dedication invested in his role.

Transportation costs alone, exceeding 40% of income, pose a significant financial strain. While acknowledging the impact on bill payments, he remains optimistic about future improvements.

Addressing financial struggles, Agbeyinka admitted resorting to loans, acknowledging the trade-off between immediate relief and accumulating debts. Adjusting spending habits and exploring additional income streams, such as creating branded clothes and taking printing contracts, became essential.

“Apart from the fact that, no amount paid to a teacher is commensurate to the knowledge they impart on the learners, my current salary does not align at all with the experience and expertise I put into my job.

“This is huge. The effects cannot not be said in few pages of this text due to their enormity. However, I’ll be specific about the transportation. Now, the transportation cost to and fro my work place alone, without mentioning other places that must be touched, already takes over 40% of my income. It’s really affecting sorting of other bills but I’m hopeful things would turn out better soon.

“Yes, many times as a matter of fact. In fact, loans have been my life saver lately. The only disadvantage part of this is that debts are accruing not reducing. Online loan apps have come to the rescue many times. I guess I just need to adjust my spending habits and cut down on my expenses to help with the debts.

“I’m afraid they’re not ready to do that. In fact, the economic situation has been their recent “excuse” to owe salaries or pay them in instalments.”

Despite the time demands of teaching, he delves into side hustles, including registering as a chauffeur with Bolt, to augment his income, even encroaching on rest time and weekends.

His advice to fellow educators includes expense reduction, skill acquisition for alternative income, and advocating for government support. Agbéyínká urged policymakers to provide loans and grants for teachers, particularly in the private sector, while crafting policies to alleviate economic hardships and enhance overall quality of life.

“The government on their part should help teachers, especially in private sectors, who have low income, with loans and grants to start some businesses. Also, they should work on their policies such that can cushion the hardship in circulation and make life worth living for all,” he said.

These accounts shed light on the multifaceted approaches teachers adopt to navigate economic hardships, emphasizing resilience, financial prudence, and a diversified skill set to secure their financial well-being.

Parents’ Responses to School Fee Increase

Alhaji Lateef Bakare, a civil servant based in Lagos, anticipated the rise in school fees due to the country’s inflation.

Recognizing the need for schools to maintain smooth operations, he emphasized the importance of cooperation.

In contrast to those considering withdrawal, Lateef affirmed, “I value the quality of services provided by the school and have no plans to withdraw my children.”

Olagoke Eesuola Esq, a legal practitioner, acknowledged a nearly 40% increase in school fees, attributing it to the prevailing inflation.

He emphasized the proprietor’s commitment to education quality over profit and appreciated the transparent communication via a detailed letter.

“The School increased the school fees by almost 40% because of the galloping inflation.”

He added, “I knew the proprietor to be a thoroughbred educationist that is not driven by profit but quality and impact. He explained things through a letter.

“I did not consider moving them elsewhere or withdrawing them. It wasn’t necessary,” he said.

Moshood Alabi, a university lecturer, expressed discontent with the fee hike and contemplated withdrawing his children from the school.

However, Mr. Odekunle, a father of two in Abuja, justified the increase, understanding the impact of inflation on the school’s operational costs.

He affirmed, “I have never considered withdrawing my children, acknowledging the necessity of the fee adjustment.”

Private School Owners Explain How they Navigate the Economic Challenges, Plea for Support

School proprietors are grappling with the profound impact of the current economic downturn, with Wasiu Oladimeji, the proprietor of Unique Legacy Schools, expressing concern over the escalating operational costs.

In an interview with Afri Reporters, Oladimeji disclosed a 20% increase in the running cost of school operations compared to the previous session.

“The running cost of the school operation has increased by 20% compared to tye last session. The finance of certain things, especially the consumables has been greatly affected,” Mr Oladimeji told Afri Reporters.

He noted that the present situation has forced many schools out of the system.

“To we (sic) that are left in the system, we are facing challenges. Majority of us do not access to leans. The available loans come with unreasonable high interest,” he lamented

He emphasized the strain on finances, particularly affecting consumables, and lamented that numerous schools have been forced out of the system.

Addressing the perception that school owners neglect their staff, Oladimeji refuted the claim, highlighting the challenges faced by schools that have refrained from increasing fees.

He asserted, “I can say categorically that we are trying our best,” revealing that Unique Legacy Schools had increased staff salaries by 40% and offered a 25% discount to staff with children enrolled, measures implemented before the commencement of the new session.

He said, “Unique Legacy Schools increased the salary of the staff by 40% and staff who have children in the school were granted 25% discount. This was announced and implemented before the resumption for this new session.”

“The government has to come to our aid. We have associations through which the government can collate the data needed to reach out to all private schools.

“As the government work assiduously on the relief package for their workers, the gesture should be extended to the private sector,” he concluded.

Mahmud Mubarak, representing Sublime Schools in Agbara, echoed similar sentiments, citing the escalating costs of fuel for school buses and maintenance as contributors to operational losses.

Mubarak explained the inability to increase staff salaries due to constraints in raising school fees.

“We have been running as loss, considering the cost of fuel for the school buses and the cost of maintenance, including other expenses.”

“We cannot increase the salary of the staff now because we have not been able to increase the school fees.

“The school location is a major factor,” he told Afri Reporters.

Pastor Jacob Okupevi, the Proprietor of A Prince With God and Prince Heir’s College, approached the prevailing circumstances with a spiritual perspective.

Emphasizing divine control, he reflected on the school’s resilience during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We survived the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

In addressing the dynamics of entrepreneurship, Pastor Okupevi asserted that a genuine commitment to a business transcends selfish interests, enabling steadfast navigation through economic fluctuations.

“If one did not jump into a business for a selfish interest, whatever the economic situation, one will surely see through,” Pastor Okupevi said.

Regarding the welfare of teachers, he highlighted the tendency of some schools to overlook their staff, acknowledging the delicate balance in satisfying diverse needs.

“We view our staff as a family, providing not only financial support but also facilitating access to loans. Recognizing meritorious services, we reward them generously,” Pastor Okupevi explained.

He underscored the school’s unique support, allowing staff to utilize facilities for after-school classes without imposing financial expectations, in addition to ensuring timely salary payments.

“We allow them to use the facility for after-school classes without expecting any returns from them. And we pay their salaries as and when due.”

While expressing concern about government policies, Pastor Okupevi appealed for support, noting the absence of a clear agenda for private schools. He urged the government to reconsider tax burdens and instead provide essential resources such as security, electricity, and infrastructure, advocating for grants to bolster the resilience of private educational institutions.

Saheed Oladele, Proprietor of The Patient Schools in Isawo Ikorodu Lagos, acknowledged the diverse impact on rich, middle-class, and economically disadvantaged private schools.

Oladele emphasized the economic strain causing delays in fee payments and shared insights into the school’s efforts to support staff, including subsidizing meals and allowing installment payments.

“We are greatly affected because the economic situation causes delay in the payment of school fees,” Mr Oladele lamented.

Despite challenges, Oladele refuted the notion that all school owners neglect their staff, emphasizing the importance of teacher satisfaction.

“We just believe that if the teachers are not happy, it will affect their productivity. And we have introduced a relief package: we subsidise their feeding and allow them to pay in installments. Besides, we ensure prompt payment of their salary,” he said.

He appealed to the state government for assistance, urging support through access to grants and zero-interest loans.

These voices from private school owners paint a picture of resilience amid adversity, calling for collaborative efforts with the government to navigate the economic challenges and sustain quality education.