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Private school teachers play a critical role in shaping the future of generations, contributing significantly to education and nation-building. However, despite their importance, many private school teachers face challenges relating to poor working conditions, job insecurity, and unfair treatment from school owners and are left with no choice than to endure the pain and I’ll treatment because there is no legal structure to run to for redress. The absence of sufficient legal protection exacerbates these issues, particularly in jurisdictions where labor laws either do not explicitly cover private school employees or where enforcement mechanisms are weak in our dear nation Nigeria. The need for the protection of private school teachers under the Labour Act cannot be overemphasized, as it would help improve the quality of education, promote fairness, and uplift teachers’ living standards especially given the current economic state of the nation.
Inadequate Protection of Private School Teachers
Private school teachers, unlike their counterparts in public institutions, often face a lack of job security arising from the hire and fire practices, lower salaries, irregular payment schedules, draining of the potentials, time and poor benefits even with the level of commitment and dedication.
While public school teachers are generally governed by specific government guidelines, private school teachers rely largely on the discretion of school owners and boards. In some cases, teachers are hired without formal contracts, making it difficult for them to assert their rights or seek legal redress when they are unfairly treated, overused or dismissed.
Challenges Faced by Private School Teachers
The challenges faced by private school teachers that call for better protection under labor laws include:
– Low and Inconsistent Pay: Many private school teachers are paid significantly lower wages than public school teachers. Even when agreements are made, delays in salary payments are common, creating financial instability for educators who depend on their low income to support their families. Very few private schools can raise their shoulders that their salary scale or scheme is above #17,000-20,000 (seventeen thousand-twenty thousand) naira. The most surprising aspect is the fact that there are still private schools that pays #15,000, while some are owing arrears of 2 to 3 months with no apology. I remembered a situation where I was paid #5000 for over 3 years as a classroom teacher, PTA secretary and Head of Department when I eventually started managing the newly birthed secondary in one of the schools I worked in Ugep. I also remembered that in one of the schools, I was owed for 4 months while I was receiving #3,500 as salary without progress or any plan for increment. The situation has even worsen I’m some of the schools even though they pay some pay #15,000 or #20,000. The ones that pay upto #100,000 of any will ensure your entire system work for the money, and then when you look at the kind of work you do compared to the said salary, you will realize that even the #100,000 if any private school pays that at all is not worth it. The question is, how does the increase in the proposed minimum wage affect the private school teachers? Can that also be implemented or taken into consideration by private school owners? The only way to see that these set of individuals are accommodated is by enacting a law to accommodate private school teachers under the labour Act.
– Lack of Benefits: Unlike their counterparts in the public-sector , private school teachers are often not entitled to benefits such as health insurance, pension plans, and paid leave. In the absence of these protections, teachers are left vulnerable, with little to no financial safety not even in times of need. This benefits at least would have been a motivation for effect and dedicated services but nothing like this is in place.
– Job Insecurity: Private school teachers often face the constant threat of losing their jobs due to reasons like declining student enrollment, changes in management, or budget cuts, lack of employment agreement, initiations of policies that are heinous where teachers tend to disagree because it does not suit or not part of the supposed employment agreement. This job insecurity is compounded by the absence of clear guidelines for hiring and termination, which makes it easy for school owners or management to dismiss teachers without proper cause or compensation, and ofcourse the lack of redress mechanism.
– Workplace Exploitation: In many cases, private school teachers are required to work long hours without additional pay, taking on responsibilities that extend beyond their contracted teaching duties. The lack of overtime pay or compensatory time off adds to the strain on teachers who already have demanding workloads. One day, my wife came home from work crying seriously, I began to wonder who had the guts to touch my wife, I asked her what happened, and all she managed to say was “human beings are very wicked”. I was more attentive and inquisitive, so I asked again, what happened, only to tell me how her former boss in the private school she was working decides to make a full of them by exploiting them. What they worked for and due to be paid the incentives was gladly refused them. What pained me was the fact that my dear wife was pregnant, yet she wakes up very early and goes to work almost before every other staff, she taught over 3 courses in 3 classes, she had to struggle everyday to prepare note of lessons with commitment, passion and dedication, yet what was due to her as well as every other individual staff in the school was denied them without apology. Unfortunately, some staffs had no choice thanks to endure instead of staying unemployed knowing too well that there are no jobs out there.
Why Private School Teachers Need Protection Under the Labour Act*l
Private school teachers need formal recognition under labor laws to ensure that they are entitled to the same basic rights and protections as other workers in Nigeria or under the Act. Some specific reasons for why these protections are necessary include:
– Guaranteeing Fair Wages: The Labour Act provides for the establishment of minimum wage standards. Applying these standards to private school teachers would ensure that they are paid a fair wage that reflects their skills, contributions to education and also their academic qualifications.
– Job Security and Fair Contracts: By extending labor protections to private school teachers, employers would be required to provide clear contracts that outline terms and conditions of the employment, including provisions for termination, severance pay, and notice periods. This would help reduce arbitrary dismissals, u fair treatment and ensure that teachers can work with a sense of security.
– Access to Benefits: The Labour Act can provide for incentives and entitlements such as health insurance, pension schemes, and paid leave. Private school teachers, like other workers, deserve access to benefits that ensure their wellbeing and support during illness or retirement.
– Safe Working Conditions: Labor laws typically set standards for safe and healthy work environments. Applying these standards to private schools would help reduce instances of overwork, burnout, and other occupational hazards that teachers may face.
The Role of Government and Regulatory Bodies:
To improve the situation of private school teachers in Nigeria, government intervention is crucial. There are several ways in which the government and relevant agencies can support the inclusion of private school teachers under labor laws:
-Legislation: The Labour Act or equivalent laws must explicitly include private school teachers in its provisions. Clear legislative language is necessary to avoid ambiguity and ensure that private school teachers are aware of their rights. There is need to therefore pass a law by relevant government authorities for the overall protection of private workers especially the private school teachers and staffs.
– Monitoring and Enforcement: It is not enough to simply pass laws. Regulatory bodies need to actively be set up to monitor private schools to ensure compliance with not just the operation and management of the educational system but with the labor laws as it affects or relates to the welfare of staffs. Inspections and audits should be conducted regularly to assess whether schools are adhering to minimum wage laws, providing appropriate benefits, and maintaining fair working conditions for their staffs.
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– Training and Sensitization: Teachers should be educated and trained not just about classroom Management, teacher-student/pupil relationship, teacher-parent relationship but also about their rights under the Labour Act. Many private school teachers may not be aware of the protections they are entitled to, leading to exploitation. Workshops, awareness campaigns, and training sessions can empower teachers to demand fair treatment.
Conclusion
The role of private school teachers in our society is indispensable, yet many continue to work under conditions that deny them the basic protections enjoyed by other workers. Extending the provisions of the Labour Act to include private school teachers is not only necessary for their well-being but also for the improvement of the educational system as a whole. Private school teachers also on their path need to understand their role in the educational sector and play their role effectively and with dedication, irrespective of class. I remember far back in the 70s, from secondary school or class 5 or 6, our parents were employed as teachers so it is not even out of place to finish secondary school and get or gain employment as a teacher. Because most people eventually become very renowned teachers from there. When teachers are protected and fairly compensated, they are more motivated and capable of delivering high-quality education, which ultimately benefits students and society at large.
Ensuring that private school teachers are adequately protected under the Labour Act is not just a matter of fairness, but essential for fostering a more equitable and sustainable educational environment.
