He made this call during the 2025 World Teachers’ Day celebration held on Sunday, October 5, 2025.
Addressing teachers, union members, labour leaders, and education stakeholders, Dr. Folarin emphasized that teachers remain the foundation of every profession and the driving force behind national development.
He noted that despite their invaluable contributions, private school teachers continue to face harsh working conditions and deserve better recognition and support from government and society.
“As teachers, we are the prime movers of educational growth. In Nigeria, particularly within private institutions, this role carries immense responsibility. We are entrusted with shaping young minds, moulding them into the knowledgeable individuals and future leaders our society depends on. The very survival and progress of our nation rest on the shoulders of its educators. It is, therefore, only right that we are recognized and acknowledged worldwide on a day like this”.
Speaking on this year’s theme, “Empowering Educators, Strengthening Resilience, Building Sustainability,” Dr. Folarin described it as timely and reflective of the challenges teachers face globally, especially in Nigeria.
He stressed that empowering teachers is essential for building a sustainable future and improving learning outcomes in both public and private schools.
The PRISCTUN President decried the widespread misconception that educational standards are falling, arguing instead that systemic weaknesses including poor remuneration, lack of career progression, and the employment of untrained teachers have hindered progress in the sector.
He listed several key issues affecting teachers, including Examination malpractice,Poor and irregular salaries,Absence of structured career advancement,Politicization of education, Inadequate teaching tools and poor welfare packages,Inconsistent implementation of education policies
“We live in a nation where public amenities meant to aid service delivery—such as roads, healthcare, and water—are dysfunctional. Therefore, the magic bullet for national rebranding and progress must start with a high investment in teachers. Empowering educators will breed results-oriented teaching services in both public and private spaces, which will, in turn, build a sustainable and resilient future for Nigeria”.
He urged the Federal Government and National Assembly to enact laws that protect private school teachers from unfair labour practices.
“Private school teachers are among the worst victims of unfair labour practices in our country. There ought to be legislation, through an Act of Parliament, to protect these workers. We need a safeguarded and enduring framework to eliminate what can only be described as modern-day enslavement.
“Nigeria will recover if teachers in both public and private institutions are taken care of appropriately. Drawing inspiration from this year's theme, let us rise to the challenge with energy, the right strategy, and the commitment it takes to achieve our goal”.
Dr. Folarin also called for government intervention programmes to support private school owners, whom he acknowledged as vital partners in Nigeria’s education ecosystem. He explained that private schools help bridge the gap created by overstretched public institutions and foster healthy competition in the education system.
“The Nigerian government can, and should, help the private sector through well-structured intervention programmes to assist school owners in overcoming their challenges.
“The contributions of private schools cannot be overstated. They fill critical gaps where public institutions are overstretched, contribute to socio-economic development, and create a healthy rivalry for excellence. This calls for positive intervention from both Federal and State governments”.
While commending the Federal Ministry of Education for introducing the new national curriculum, the PRISCTUN President urged the government to revisit its implementation strategy to ensure that all stakeholders, especially private institutions, are adequately prepared.
“The new curriculum is a good and well-conceived idea, its implementation strategy needs to be revisited. We thank God that our Minister of Education is a listening Minister. All areas needing refinement should be addressed to ensure a smooth sail for this laudable new initiative”.
