A number of people have been sympathetic to me, considering the frightening realities teachers, especially those in some private schools face.
Two friends of mine felt I would enjoy teaching in public schools in Lagos State. So, each time there was a vacancy in that sector they would inform me. But on several occasions, I have declined to apply for the Lagos State teaching vacancies.
I had to ignore all the calls because I detest anything that has to do with Lagos State public schools. I know of the handsome monetary packages the teachers receive. Still, I am not fascinated by those packages. Many things are wrong with these public schools. Those things discourage me from showing interest in their vacancies.
Teaching requires strong passion. Passionate teachers will always think and look for conducive learning environments. I mean environments that will motivate their pedagogic spirit and help broaden their horizon. Leaving a private sector befitting of a 21st century teacher for one Lagos public school, is tantamount to returning myself to the 19th century classroom.
The problems with Lagos State Public Schools
Lagos State government provides education to over one million pupils/students. There are about 1,010 primary schools with a population of about 497,318 pupils. There are 670 Junior and Senior Secondary Schools with a population of about 564,758 students. And there are 5 Technical and Vocational Schools across the state.
The first problem that disinterests me is the outright violation of the recommended students-teacher ratio by UNESCO. While the recommendation stipulates a ratio of 1:40, most Lagos State Public Schools have nothing less than 130 students in a classroom. This is a sector whose Quality Assurance Department runs after private schools that are short of standard.
The class size is critical to teaching and learning. Smaller classes produce better students. Overcrowded classrooms make learning difficult. They impede proper monitoring and class control. To subject a teacher to teach in a classroom setting, where one teacher faces over one hundred students, mark and grade their work is torture for both teacher and learners.
The more conducive the learning environment, the easier and more interesting learning becomes for students.
Every right-thinking educationist will agree with me that learning will hardly take place in an over populated classroom. Such a population will not only impede learning, it will also make teaching stressful for the teacher. Teachers face a mirage of problems: no proper marking of notes.
In addition, there is dearth of modern facilities. It is unfortunate that what private school teachers use to facilitate understanding, make teaching and learning interactive and interesting are lacking in these public schools.
Whereas, teaching is fun when a teacher finds him or herself in a school with modern teaching aids. The current Lagos State Commissioner for Education, Mrs Adefisayo Folashade, is an experienced educator who knows better.
Recruitment is needed. It is part of the effort of the state government to address the defect in the sector. However, they need to tackle the challenges frustrating teachers’ effort
In conclusion, it is necessary to reduce the classroom population. Government can achieve this by building additional classrooms with standard facilities. They should employ more teachers. Not only that, they should convert those on the payroll of the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and the N-power scheme to full time teachers. These ones are already familiar with the system.
