Osun monarch returns to teaching Mathematics, laments dearth of teachers

A referred traditional ruler in Osun State, Oba Abdulazeez Olatubosun, has offered to teach Mathematics in a secondary school in the area to inspire more knowledgeable people to do the same in their domain.

Olatubosun, who is currently the Akire of Ikire Ile, called on retired teachers at all levels to return to the classroom to address the shortage of teachers in the country.

He said he offered to teach Mathematics periodically at The Wings Schools in Iwo, Osun State, as a demonstration of his readiness to live by example.

Newstrends reports Akire as bringing on board several years of teaching, research and administrative experience.

The monarch, who ascended the throne as Akire in January 2020, had taught and held high administrative positions at the Osun State College of Education at Ila-Orangun.

His first appearance in class on November 5 at 11am with senior secondary pupils in SSS 1 and 2 in turns excited the students.

Students in the senior classes of The Wings Schools were excited to see a Royal father as their Mathematics teacher.

There is a general expectation that the presence of Akire of Ikire Ile, Oba Abdulazeez Olatubosun, is most likely to add value to the teaching of a subject for which most pupils display a phobia.

The principal of The Wings Schools, Mr Taoheed Sanusi, expressed happiness and great delight to receive Akire in the school.

The principal advised other highly placed individuals and professionals with expertise in different areas of learning to volunteer their time in addressing this national crisis of teachers shortage.

Sanusi said Nigeria could sink further into illiteracy with dire consequences for national development if others failed to follow this good example of Akire. According to him, without well motivated teachers, development is at ground zero; poverty will surely escalate. There could not be a better time to recall all retired teachers that are of good health to return to the classroom, he added.

The proprietor of The Wings Schools, Prof. Lai Olurode, used the occasion to appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reversing the embargo which former President Muhammadu Buhari placed on the payment of four out of eight months of varsity lecturers whilst on strike .

Olurode, a former National Commissioner with the Independent National Electoral Commission, urged lecturers to regard this move as a positive step in motivating teachers and a signal at boosting conversations between governments and intellectuals. He also called on governments at all levels to avert further exodus of professionals from not just the universities but other sectors as well.

Statistics on teachers shortage at every level of the school system are mind blowing.

At the pre-primary level, with a population of 7.2 million pupils, there are just 354,651 teachers. At the primary, 915,593 teachers are available for 32 million pupils. Learning outcomes are appalling.

A survey of public and private schools in the South-West shows that Nigeria is confronted with a national education crisis.

Teachers welfare is hardly a priority in government circles. Political elite are in control of honour and assured livelihood.