Developing Teaching Profession

Teaching is one of the oldest professions in the World. It is also described as the Mother of all professions.

The status of the teaching profession before the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and International Labour Organization recommendations of 1966 was highly discouraging.

These recommendations set forth the rights and responsibilities of teachers as well as the standards of their engagement. Here are a few ways of developing the teaching profession in Nigeria :

Government at all levels should focus on teachers teaching in underserved communities and difficult terrains. This set of teachers should be particularly encouraged through special pay, hazard allowance, and provision of health stimulants to sustain their interest in the profession.

Another important way of promoting the teaching profession in Nigeria is through the formation of a Community of practice where teachers can learn from each other. This will enhance strong collaboration with the view of improving learning outcomes. It could be in the form of peer-to-peer visits, peer-to-peer instruction, and teacher-learning Communities.

Removing all forms of barriers to the career growth of teachers is another strategy for improving the teaching profession. Teachers should be able to reach the peak of their careers without any bureaucratic bottlenecks. They should be able to be on par with those in the mainstream of the civil service.

To further improve the teaching profession, teachers should be supported in all ways possible. Quality assurance exercises should be aimed at supporting the needs of teachers. This could be in the form of instruction, pedagogy, supervisory, and technical assistance where necessary. Training and capacity building are also forms of teachers' support.

Another cogent way of improving the teaching profession is to celebrate teachers at all levels. This could be done at the School, Community, zone, and State. The practice of waiting for World Teacher's Day before celebrating outstanding performances should be discouraged. They should be celebrated always. There should be deliberate efforts to upgrade national and international celebrations of teachers.

To achieve World targets, solve societal problems, and produce leaders who can take up leadership roles on the planet Earth, invest heavily in teacher education and welfare.