*Amid clamour for education reforms
The British High Commission in Nigeria has called for reforms aimed at reducing class sizes, improving teachers’ income and strengthening professional development as part of efforts to improve learning outcomes in the country’s education sector.
The call was made at the National Teacher Summit in Abuja, where education stakeholders, government officials and development partners met to discuss strategies for strengthening the teaching profession.
In a statement shared during the event, the UK mission emphasised that investing in teachers is crucial to Nigeria’s long-term development and economic growth.
At the summit, the UK highlighted predictable financing for education, smaller class sizes and enhanced professional development and coaching as key measures to improve teacher motivation and effectiveness.
The mission stated that these factors are essential to creating an environment where teachers could perform optimally, and students could receive quality education.
“Investing in teachers means investing in Nigeria’s future.
At the National Teacher Summit, we joined partners to explore key strategies to enhance teacher motivation: predictable finance, smaller class sizes, enhanced professional development and coaching” the commission said.
Nigeria’s education system continues to face challenges linked to teacher shortages, overcrowded classrooms and low remuneration. In many public schools, one teacher handles large numbers of pupils, limiting individual attention and affecting classroom management.
Education authorities have acknowledged that high student-to-teacher ratios remain a major obstacle to improving learning outcomes, particularly at the basic and secondary levels.
The National Teacher Summit was convened as part of broader efforts by the Federal government to reposition teaching as a respected and attractive profession.
The event focused on policy reforms, incentives and institutional support needed to improve teachers’ welfare and professional standards. Government officials at the summit reaffirmed commitments to improving working conditions and career progression for educators.
Recent initiatives announced by the Federal government include performance-based incentives for outstanding teachers, expanded access to training programmes and plans to strengthen teacher recruitment.
Officials said these measures were designed to address gaps in quality, improve retention and raise morale within the profession.
Smaller class sizes featured prominently in discussions at the summit, with participants noting that reduced classroom overcrowding allows teachers to deliver lessons more effectively and support learners with diverse needs.
Education experts at the event stressed that manageable class sizes were linked to better academic performance and reduced burnout among teachers.
The UK’s engagement at the summit reflects its long-standing partnership with Nigeria in the education sector. Through programmes delivered in collaboration with Nigerian institutions, the UK has supported teacher training, curriculum development and policy dialogue focused on improving teaching quality.
British-backed initiatives have also promoted continuous professional development and the use of modern teaching methods.
Teacher income was another key focus at the summit. Speakers noted that inadequate remuneration had contributed to low morale and attrition, with many qualified teachers leaving the profession for better-paying opportunities.
Improving salaries and ensuring timely payment, participants said, were essential to sustaining a skilled and motivated teaching workforce.
The British High Commission said addressing these challenges required coordinated action by government, development partners and education stakeholders. It emphasised that investing in teachers was not only a social obligation but also a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future workforce and national development.
Discussions at the summit underscored the link between teacher welfare and broader education outcomes, with participants agreeing that reforms aimed at improving teachers’ working conditions, income and classroom environments were necessary for sustainable progress.