Teachers: why we need them and the new ATPP initiative

“Better than a thousand days of diligent study is one day with a great teacher.” -Japanese proverb.

A good education it’s very important! In the Holy Scriptures we are strongly encouraged to acquire wisdom. For example, in Proverbs chapter 3, verse 21 [b]we read: “Safeguarding practical wisdom and the ability to think.” Additionally, Proverbs 4:7 says: “Wisdom is the most important thing, so gain wisdom, and with all that you gain, gain understanding.” Wisdom involves a breadth of knowledge and a depth of understanding. Education is closely related to wisdom and understanding, in the sense that education involves the gradual process of acquiring knowledge and understanding. The biblical sense of wisdom emphasizes good judgment, based on knowledge and understanding; the ability to successfully use knowledge and understanding to solve problems, avoid or avert dangers, achieve certain goals, or advise others in doing so.

Teachers play a central role in education. They provide education to people of all ages, from children to adults, and in different fields of study. Teachers work hard to inspire, guide, educate and guide us every day. Indeed, a very valuable health manual entitled ‘Where there is no doctor,‘written by David Werner has this to say about teaching: “The art of teaching is the most important skill a person can learn. Teaching is helping others grow, and growing with them. A good teacher is not someone who puts ideas in other people’s heads; he or she is someone who helps others build on their ideas, to make new discoveries for themselves.” The book goes on to say: “People don’t learn much from what they’re told. They learn from what they think, feel, discuss, see, and do together. So the good teacher doesn’t sit behind a desk and talk to people. He talks and works with them. He helps his people think clearly about their needs and find appropriate ways to meet them. He looks for every opportunity to share ideas in an open and friendly way.”

What else can be said about good teachers? Good teachers instill confidence in those they teach and make learning an exciting challenge. A good teacher recognizes each student’s potential and knows how to make it blossom and flourish. To get the best out of each child, the teacher must find out what interests or motivates him and what stimulates him, and a dedicated teacher must love children. William Ayers, a teacher, said: “Good teaching requires, above all, an attentive and thoughtful teacher who is engaged in the lives of students. Good teaching is not a matter of specific techniques or styles, plans or actions…Teaching is primarily a matter of love.”

However, the teaching profession, it must be admitted, is demanding and presents many challenges. Being a teacher is not easy at all. It requires a great deal of personal sacrifice. Furthermore, with the economic decline, life has not been easy for many teachers. And low pay has always discouraged people from entering the teaching profession. However, despite the difficulties and inconveniences, many teachers still persevere in their chosen profession.

In terms of new developments affecting teachers in Nigeria, one new and very welcome development currently making the rounds is the new introduction “Accelerated teacher professionalization path” (ATPP) by the Federal Ministry of Education, Nigeria; THE Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN); and the National Institute of Teachers (NTI). This new one ATPP The initiative, which began in September 2026, provides a structured pathway for persons who currently work as teachers in Nigerian schools, but do not hold education-related qualifications (such as the National Certificate in Education (NCE), Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), Post-Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), etc.), to obtain a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) qualification or a Professional Diploma in Education (PDE) qualification within a period of 6 months through the ATPP programme, proceed to qualify for the TRCN exam, obtain TRCN certification, and then obtain your professional teaching license, while continuing to serve your schools and communities.

This is indeed a very timely and thoughtful initiative! It will also help reduce the high rate of unemployment and poverty in the country. And it certainly represents a huge relief and a favorable answer to the prayers of many teachers who have no education-related qualifications, but nevertheless have a passion for the teaching profession and a desire to continue in that line of work. A VERY BIG “THANK YOU!” to the Federal Ministry of Education, the TRCN)NTI and all the other contributors, for this very thoughtful, timely and wonderful initiative! May God bless and richly reward all those who contributed to making this wonderful initiative possible!

Mr Daniel Ighakpe,

Festac Town, Lagos

[email protected].

0913-739-3829