By Fatimah Bintu Dikko

After the Applause: Rethinking How We Value Our Teachers

Every October, the world pauses briefly to celebrate the men and women who dedicate their lives to shaping minds and building futures. World Teachers’ Day often brings heartwarming tributes, social media posts, and one-day recognition ceremonies. Yet, as the applause fades and the confetti settles, many teachers return to classrooms with leaking roofs, overcrowded benches, and salaries that barely sustain them. This disconnect between celebration and reality is where the true conversation must begin — beyond the annual commendations, what does it really mean to value a teacher?

A society’s greatness is often measured not by its wealth or infrastructure, but by the quality of its teachers and the respect accorded to them. Teachers are the architects of every nation’s future. They stand before children daily, sowing seeds of knowledge and nurturing the dreams that will eventually shape the direction of our communities. In many parts of Nigeria, especially in smaller towns and rural areas, teachers remain the backbone of education despite overwhelming odds. They improvise when there are no textbooks, teach under trees when classrooms are unavailable, and continue to inspire when motivation seems scarce.

Yet, these everyday heroes are often among the most underappreciated professionals. While society expects them to raise disciplined, intelligent, and visionary citizens, the system rarely provides them with the resources or recognition they deserve. Many teachers face irregular salary payments, minimal incentives, and little access to professional development. The result is not just teacher frustration, but a slow erosion of the education system’s foundation. When teachers are demoralized, learners suffer — and when learners suffer, the nation’s future trembles.

The irony is that everyone remembers a teacher who made a difference in their life. We recall the one who believed in us when others didn’t, who taught us confidence along with arithmetic, or who inspired us to reach beyond what we thought possible. These are the unsung heroes who quietly build the moral and intellectual compass of society. Yet, despite this emotional connection, we still fail to translate that admiration into meaningful change. We cannot continue to say we value teachers while underpaying them, overworking them, and ignoring their welfare.

To truly honour teachers, society must go beyond symbolic gestures. There must be a clear, structural commitment to improving their living and working conditions. Governments, at both state and local levels, should prioritize education budgets in a way that directly impacts teachers’ welfare — timely salaries, professional training, and retirement security. Teachers should not have to juggle multiple jobs just to make ends meet. When teachers live in dignity, they teach with passion and integrity.

Equally important is the need to restore the societal respect once associated with the teaching profession. There was a time when being a teacher was a badge of honour, a position that commanded admiration and moral authority. Over time, this respect has eroded, replaced by frustration and neglect. Restoring that pride requires both institutional and cultural reform. Communities must once again see teachers as partners in development, not just employees of the state. Parents, too, must play a part by supporting teachers rather than undermining their authority in front of children. Education works best when teachers and parents work together as a team.

In many private schools, the story is no better. Despite collecting substantial fees, some school owners exploit teachers with meagre pay and unrealistic workloads. The pursuit of profit often outweighs concern for teacher welfare. This culture must change. Schools should not be factories for examination results but nurturing spaces for holistic education. For that to happen, teachers must be treated as professionals whose input is essential, not as expendable labour.

We must also recognize the unique challenges faced by female teachers, especially those balancing work, family, and societal expectations. Many of them carry a double burden — educating children at school and caring for their own at home. Policies that support flexible schedules, maternity benefits, and professional advancement for women in education will go a long way in promoting gender equity within the profession.

Teachers are also key to nation-building beyond the classroom. In their interactions with learners, they shape attitudes toward citizenship, tolerance, and moral responsibility. A teacher who models fairness, discipline, and compassion indirectly plants these virtues into the next generation. This is why education must never be reduced to a political talking point or an economic calculation; it is the very soul of national development.

We must remember that the learners sitting in classrooms today will be the doctors, engineers, farmers, and leaders of tomorrow. Their competence and character depend largely on the teachers guiding them now. Investing in teachers, therefore, is not charity — it is a national survival strategy. No country can rise above the quality of its teachers, and no nation can remain strong while its educators remain neglected.

As we reflect on the recent Teachers’ Day, the call is simple: let this year not be like the last. Let the celebration lead to commitment, and the praise lead to policy. Let governments implement programs that reward excellence, offer continuous training, and support mental well-being. Let communities create spaces for teachers to feel valued, respected, and safe. Let parents collaborate with educators to raise disciplined and inspired children. Let the media highlight the real stories of teachers who are changing lives against all odds.

The journey to national progress begins not in the corridors of power, but in classrooms — where teachers stand as silent builders of destiny. Their work may not always make headlines, but it makes history. And so, beyond the applause and ceremonial ribbons, our gratitude must translate into tangible support. If we truly desire a future filled with hope, innovation, and growth, we must start by rebuilding the dignity of teaching and giving teachers the honour they have long deserved.

True independence, after all, is not just political; it is intellectual and moral. And the guardians of that freedom are our teachers — the patient, persistent, and often uncelebrated heroes who continue to light the path forward for all of us.