By Olaolu Fawole

As the world marks World Teachers’ Day 2025, educators and stakeholders across the globe are reflecting on the theme, “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession.”

It is a call to action, urging societies to view education not as the sole responsibility of teachers, but as a shared mission among parents, governments, and communities.

Since its proclamation by UNESCO in 1994, World Teachers’ Day has remained a platform to honour educators and spotlight the conditions that shape teaching and learning.

This year’s theme strikes a particularly powerful chord, emphasizing that no teacher can succeed in isolation.

In Nigeria, where the education system faces deep-rooted challenges, from underfunding and infrastructural decay to poor welfare and insecurity in schools, the idea of collaboration becomes even more urgent.

Teachers continue to bear the brunt of systemic neglect, yet they remain the backbone of human development.

The President of the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Mr. Sola Adigun, recently echoed this sentiment, noting that teaching “has never been a job for lone rangers.”

He stressed that the progress of any child depends not just on the teacher’s effort but on parents, policymakers, and communities working together to support learning.

This call aligns with UNESCO’s reminder that collaboration empowers teachers, improves classroom outcomes, and strengthens public trust in education systems.

When teachers are heard and supported, not just supervised, their creativity and commitment multiply.

Experts believe that recasting teaching as a collaborative profession means giving educators a stronger voice in decision-making, integrating technology responsibly, and building partnerships that bridge the gap between policy and practice.

It also involves cultivating mutual respect among all education actors, recognizing that the success of one stakeholder depends on the involvement of others.

Governments at all levels must back their words with action; better funding, improved working conditions, teacher training, and genuine collaboration with unions and civil society.

For the millions of teachers shaping the minds and destinies of future generations, this year’s message is both an encouragement and a challenge.

The classroom is no longer confined by four walls, and the future of learning depends on the collective strength of all who believe in education.

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Ekiti State government has awarded the best primary and secondary school teachers in the state, Mrs Adeyemi Omolade and Mrs Mary kupolati with ten million naira each while other outstanding ones went home with different amounts of cash gifts

Presenting the cheque to the outstanding teachers in Ado Ekiti during 2022 Teachers’ Day, Governor Kayode Fayemi said billions of naira had been spent to reposition primary and secondary education in the state.

He called on teachers in Ekiti State to cooperate with the administration of the Governor-Elect, Mr Biodun Oyebanji.

In his speech, Chairman Academic Staff union of Secondary School, Ekiti State chapter, Mr Sola Adigun who appreciated Governor Fayemi for giving recognition to the union appealed to government to pay all outstanding benefits of teachers before the expiration of his tenure on the fifteen of October, 2022.

Also, the Ekiti State chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Mr Emmanuel Oke appealed to government to employ more teachers to fill the vacant posts.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Basic Education Staff Association of Nigeria, BESAN, Ekiti State Branch, Oyindamola Ogundumiye called for the review of secondary school curriculum to meet up with modern day reality.

Mr Ogundumiye who stated this while speaking with our correspondent on this year’s teachers’ day also called on government to review upward budgetary allocation for secondary education for optimal performance.

Olaniyi Alade

Ogun state government has rewarded the overall best teacher in the State, Mr Odubela Tajudeen with a two bedroom bungalow and offered employment to the wife of a deceased teacher, Mr Sunday Ogunjimi, who died during a labour protest in July this year. 

Governor Dapo Abiodun who disclosed this at the 2022 teachers’ day celebration in Abeokuta equally announced cash rewards for three teachers in primary and junior secondary schools for their outstanding performances.

Governor Abiodun explained that the gesture was part of the efforts to appreciate teachers for their numerous contributions to the overall development of the nation and said arrangements had been concluded to clear the outstanding leave bonuses of teachers. 

In a remark, State Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools, ASUSS, Comrade Akeem Lasisi urged the government to invest more on education and sustain the payment of adequate allowances to motivate teachers serving in the rural areas.

Also, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, Ogun state wing, Comrade Akinola Abiodun appealed to the government to address the disparity in the salaries of primary and secondary school teachers and work with relevant stakeholders to tackle the issue of out-of-school children. 

The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Abayomi Arigbabu, had earlier noted that Ogun State was committed to the theme of this year’s celebration “the transformation of education begins with teachers” as part of the agenda to strengthen the education sector.

Olusegun Folarin