Lagos Teachers Decry Lack Of Career Growth
Some aggrieved teachers in Lagos State have voiced frustrations over delays and inconsistencies in their career, saying they have been prevented from growing.
The aggrieved teachers, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, urged the relevant authorities to address the challenges, saying with that, they will be upholding fairness and professionalism in the state’s education sector.
A statement said the group of teachers included teachers employed between January and May 2007 with National Certificate in Education, NCE, qualifications.
The statement reads: “Many had disclosed ongoing degree programs in their CVs at the time of employment and had their appointments confirmed two years later.
“After completing their degree programs, these teachers sought recognition for their additional qualifications through the Lagos State Ministry of Education. However, instead of acknowledgment, they were directed to apply for retrospective approval of their certificates. Despite submitting multiple requests between 2013 and 2019, no action was taken.
“While some individuals received conversion letters between 2012 and 2018, these approvals were reportedly backdated. In February/March 2023, just before the governorship elections, cadre changes were approved for this category. Although TESCOM initially approved their transition from NCE to degree cadres, the teachers were required to forfeit their promotions until 2027 as a condition, even though they are due for promotion in 2025. The affected teachers argue that earlier processing of their submissions would have avoided this setback.
“Category 2 teachers pursuing degrees post-employment. This category includes teachers who entered service with NCE qualifications and pursued degree programs after their confirmation. While some of these teachers faced delays and forfeited promotions similar to Category 1, others experienced smoother transitions without promotional setbacks. The inconsistency in how cadre changes and promotions were handled has raised concerns about fairness and transparency in career advancement policies.
“The delays in recognising teachers’ qualifications have caused many to spend longer than the standard three years at certain grade levels. For instance, some teachers on Grade Levels 13 and 14 now face extended periods of 4–5 years before they can be promoted. This has led to situations where senior educators are outranked by their former colleagues or junior staff, creating imbalances in rankings. These discrepancies negatively impact teacher morale, dedication, and trust in the system.
“Additionally, teachers due for promotion in 2025 have already begun preparations, including document verification and annual appraisal (SPERDEV) submissions. However, those who have received conversion letters have been barred from participating in the exercise until 2026 or even 2027.
“The affected teachers call on the Lagos State Ministry of Education and TESCOM to adopt a transparent, uniform, and fair process for career advancement. They emphasize the importance of reviewing earlier submissions and ensuring timely approvals to prevent further setbacks. Addressing these discrepancies, they argue, will enhance morale, foster dedication, and restore trust in the system.
“The teachers urge the attention of the Governor of Lagos State, Deputy Governor, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Head of Service, Adviser to the Governor on Education, Commissioner for Education, and TESCOM Chairman. They stress the urgency of addressing these challenges to uphold fairness and professionalism in the state’s educational sector.”
Efforts to get the reaction of the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, proved abortive.
