Nigeria is set to temporarily recruit retired teachers and skilled volunteers in a bid to address its worsening teacher shortage crisis.
The proposal, contained in the newly released National Teacher Policy by the Federal Ministry of Education, outlines urgent measures to plug staffing gaps and improve learning outcomes across the country.
According to the document, authorities may deploy experienced professionals outside the active workforce, especially in regions facing acute shortages or crisis situations.
“In case of crisis areas where retired teachers and highly skilled volunteers are available, state ministries of education shall consider recruitment temporarily to fill existing human resource shortages,” the policy stated.
The move comes amid growing concern over the declining quality of education, driven largely by a shortage of qualified teachers and increasing pressure on those still in service.
The policy highlights several systemic challenges, including high attrition rates, poor subject mastery, and the continued engagement of unqualified teachers in classrooms.
It warns that weak enforcement of professional standards has contributed to the rise of non-certified practitioners, while existing teachers face heavy workloads that affect the quality of instruction.
To improve retention, the government is also pushing for the recruitment of teachers from local communities.
This approach is expected to reduce staff turnover, particularly in rural and underserved areas where shortages are most severe.
The document also raises concerns about low digital capacity among teachers, noting poor adoption of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and limited knowledge of artificial intelligence tools.
This gap, it says, is hindering effective teaching in an increasingly digital learning environment.
Beyond staffing issues, the policy points to low morale among teachers caused by delayed promotions, inadequate incentives, and negative public perception of the profession.
In rural communities, poor welfare packages and uneven deployment continue to worsen the situation.
Despite these challenges, the Federal Government says the policy will transform the teaching profession and align it with global best practices.
“The National Teacher Policy will bring about a common understanding, transformation and elevation of the teaching profession,” the document stated.
Nigeria’s education sector has long struggled with overcrowded classrooms, underqualified personnel, and insufficient investment in teacher training.
Previous reforms have yielded limited success, as many trained teachers leave the profession in search of better opportunities.
The Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) has also identified the shortage of qualified teachers as a major factor behind declining learning outcomes nationwide.
