Teachers deserve tools, dignity, better working environment – Aiyedatiwa

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has emphasized the need for increased investment in teachers, advocating for tools, dignity and a conducive working environment. Aiyedatiwa, who previously worked as a teacher, delivered his acceptance speech at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day Commemoration and President’s Teachers' and Schools Excellence Awards in Abuja.

He attributed the recognition to teachers in Ondo State, stating that their contribution to the state's development could not be measured only by academic outcomes. The governor, who has been a teacher, recalled his experience in the classroom in March 2025, sharing the importance of understanding the challenges educators face. In recent years, the state government has made education a key component of its seven-pillar development agenda, focusing on teacher recruitment, professional development, infrastructure, and access to education.

Since 2025, over 2,100 teachers have been recruited, with the government providing digital and professional training. Additionally, 43 new classroom blocks have been constructed, 75 schools renovated, and furniture procured for 8,500 learners and 1,200 teachers. The administration has also prioritized teachers' welfare by ensuring regular salary payments and settling inherited gratuity arrears, promising a secure future for educators.

Aiyedatiwa highlighted the necessity of embracing digital education, introducing AI-powered learning tools, smartphones, and literacy programs, as well as providing laptops to digitally trained teachers. He stressed that improving the teaching profession requires attention to the conditions under which teachers work, urging continued support for educators in both urban and rural communities.