ABSTRACT
This study focused on the challenges facing the public primary school teachers in teaching career in Cross River State. Specifically, the study aimed at investigating the causes of the challenges that face the primary school teachers in their teaching career. The specific challenges that face the teachers in their teaching career and how do they affect the teaching of the primary school pupils. Lastly, strategies education authorities employed to improve the working conditions of the primary school teachers and realize quality education to primary school pupils in Cross River State. The study employed qualitative design. Study employed interviews, focused group discussions and documentary reviews as method of data collection. The results showed that the poor National Health Insurance (NHIF), poor promotion management among teachers and delays of payment of the arrears and poor incentive policy and allowances were the core causes of the challenges that affect the teachers working environment in Cross River State. Further, the results showed that the teachers were paid low salaries that hindered their ability to meet the basic needs of life like food and paying rent houses. This situation influenced the teachers to do other petty business which affected their attention toward lesson preparations. The result furthermore showed that the teachers faced the challenge of poor health services that caused them use their own funds as a result their income were eroded by double contributions, Finally, they were not given rent allowance this affected their living conditions and this situation increased their transport charges. Lastly, the results showed that, improving NHIF policy to allow the teachers to access better medical services. Recommendations for the study are attached.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1Â Background of the Problem
In Nigeria, majority of teachers in government schools are suffering from various challenges. One among those challenges is concerning with payments. Teachers are entitled to be paid salary, leave allowances and arrears when they get promotion. Teachers’ payment problem emerged since the government started to implement Structural Adjustment Programme (SAPs) conditional ties particularly in the mid of 1980s. Prior to the implement action of SAPs conditional ties teachers were paid salaries, leave allowances, transport allowance, rent allowance and teaching allowance. One of the conditional ties imposed by World Bank and IMF through SAPS was the reduction in public spending on social services including education at all levels (Brock Utne, 2006). The reduction of public social services affected teachers’ payments which lead to the challenges to the teachers as follow, rent allowance; motivation, transport allowance and teaching allowances were no longer provided.
