Underpaid and overworked: The challenges of private schools’ teachers in Ado-Ekiti Metropolis, Nigeria

https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v7i1.2477
Published: Aug 19, 2025

Abstract:

Purpose: It is therefore necessary to evaluate the challenges that private school instructors encounter as a result of heavy workload and low salary.

Research methodology: The research is a cross-sectional survey, descriptive in nature. A self-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from the selected sample using a multi-stage sampling technique. Simple frequency and percentages were employed to describe the data.

Results: Pay and working conditions offered to private school teachers do not reflect their abilities. Teachers in private education experience accumulation by dispossession as a result of the privatization of educational systems and frequently lack long-term job security. The findings reveal that the workload is excessive compared to remuneration, with limited benefits and minimal professional growth opportunities.

Conclusions: The study concludes that the disparity between teachers’ efforts and rewards contributes to dissatisfaction and instability in the private education sector. These conditions may undermine the quality of teaching and long-term sustainability of the profession.

Limitations: The paper only describes the experiences of private school teachers and therefore could not ascertain the degree of relationship between challenges faced by private teachers in working under conditions of being underpaid and overworked.

Contribution: The study will be useful in understanding factors underlying the working conditions of private school teachers. It contributes to knowledge in the fields of industrial relations, human resources management, and the education industry, offering valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders to improve teacher welfare and retention.

Keywords:
1. Challenges
2. Overworked
3. Private Schools
4. Teachers
5. Underpaid
Authors:
1 . Stephen Sunday Ojo
Federal University Gashua, Yobe State, Nigeria
2 . Sunday Adesina Ayesoro
Isa Mustapha Agwai Polytechnic, Nasarawa State, Nigeria
3 . Deborah Ibechone Peter
Federal University Gashua, Yobe State, Nigeria
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How to Cite
Ojo, S. S., Ayesoro, S. A. ., & Peter, D. I. . (2025). Underpaid and overworked: The challenges of private schools’ teachers in Ado-Ekiti Metropolis, Nigeria. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 7(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v7i1.2477
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Issue & Section
Vol. 7 No. 1 (2025): August
Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

References

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    Abubakar, U. (2024). The Need for Enhancement of Teachers’ Pedagogical Skills for the Achievement of Quality Education in Private Schools in Sokoto State Nigeria. Eduscape: Journal of Education Insight, 2(2), 88-98. doi:https://doi.org/10.61978/eduscape.v2i2.159

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    Adewale, S., Adebayo, S. S., & Afolabi, P. A. (2023). Managing school safety in Nigeria in the 21st century: The need for a balanced approach. African Journal of Humanities and Contemporary Education Research, 10(1), 72-78.

    Agi, K. U., & Adiele, E. E. (2015). Educational management. Port Harcourt: Harey publications.

    Amah, E. (2006). Human resource management. Nigeria: amethyst & colleagues publishers.

    Anukaenyi, B., Modebelu, M., & Mama, L. E. (2018). Fundamental Problems Faced by the Management of Private Secondary Schools in Enugu Metropolis. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education & Development, 7(4), 267-279. doi:https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarped/v7-i4/4852

    Anwar, Y., Suwarno, B., & Harianti, S. (2023). The Effect of Teacher Motivation, Compensation, and Workload on Turnover Intention Through Job Satisfaction as a Mediating Variable. Jurnal Aplikasi Manajemen, 21(4), 1109-1122. doi:https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.jam.2023.021.04.18

    Benon, B., Barigye, E., & Bahati, R. (2024). Salary Disparity and Effectiveness of Teachers in Government Aided Secondary Schools of Bukanga County, Isingiro District. American Research Journal of Humanities & Social Science, 7(6), 92-99.

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    Chetty, R., Friedman, J. N., & Rockoff, J. E. (2014). Measuring the Impacts of Teachers I: Evaluating Bias in Teacher Value-Added Estimates. American Economic Review, 104(9), 2633-2679. doi:https://doi.org/10.3386/w19424

    Chudgar, A. (2015). Association between Contract Teachers and Student Learning in Five Francophone African Countries. Comparative Education Review, 59(2), 261-288. doi:https://doi.org/10.1086/680351

    Crawfurd, L., & Pugatch, T. (2021). Teacher Labor Markets in Developing Countries 1. In B. P. McCall (Ed.), The Routledge Handbook of the Economics of Education (pp. 193-217). London: Routledge.

    Darko, I. L. O., Bans-Akutey, A., Amoako, P., & Affum, L. K. (2024). Employee Retention and organizational Performance: Evidence from Ghana Police Service. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 5(3), 219-230. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v5i3.1855

    Darling-Hammond, L., Berry, B., & Thoreson, A. (2001). Does Teacher Certification Matter? Evaluating the Evidence. Educational evaluation and policy analysis, 23(1), 57-77. doi:https://doi.org/10.3102/01623737023001057

    Darling-Hammond, L., Chung, R., & Frelow, F. (2002). Variation in Teacher Preparation: How Well Do Different Pathways Prepare Teachers to Teach?. Journal of Teacher Education, 53(4), 286-302. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0022487102053004002

    Ehigiamusoe, U. K. (2012). Private sector participation in secondary education in Nigeria: Implications for national development. International Journal of Development and Sustainability, 1(3), 1062-1074.

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    Elyashiv, R. A. (2019). School and District Leaders Talk about Teacher Attrition. Journal of Curriculum and Teaching, 8(3), 160-170. doi:https://doi.org/10.5430/jct.v8n3p160

    Gallant, A., & Riley, P. (2017). Early Career Teacher Attrition in Australia: Inconvenient Truths About New Public Management. Teachers and Teaching, 23(8), 896-913. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/13540602.2017.1358707

    Hafeez, U., & Akbar, W. (2015). Impact of Work-Life Balance on Job Satisfaction Among School Teachers of 21st Century. Australian Journal of Business and Management Research, 4(11), 25-37. doi:https://doi.org/10.52283/nswrca.ajbmr.20150411a03

    Han, J., Yin, H., & Wang, W. (2015). Exploring the Relationship between Goal Orientations for Teaching of Tertiary Teachers and Their Teaching Approaches in China. Asia Pacific Education Review, 16(4), 537-547. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-015-9392-7

    Hanushek, E. A. (2011). The Economic Value of Higher Teacher Quality. Economics of Education review, 30(3), 466-479. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econedurev.2010.12.006

    Härmä, J. (2013a). Access or Quality? Why do Families Living in Slums Choose Low-Cost Private Schools in Lagos, Nigeria? Oxford Review of Education, 39(4), 548-566. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/03054985.2013.825984

    Härmä, J. (2013b). Private responses to state failure: The growth in private education (and why) in Lagos, Nigeria. National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, Occasional Paper, 215.

    Harvey, D. (2017). The'new'imperialism: accumulation by dispossession Karl Marx (pp. 213-237): Routledge.

    Ichdan, D. (2024). The Effect of Training, Work Environment, Motivation, Job Satisfaction, and Career Satisfaction on Employee Productivity. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 6(1), 57-69. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v6i1.2264

    Igwe, L. (1999). Fundamentals of school community relations management: Political and Legal Dimensions. Port Harcourt: Pam Unique Publishers.

    Jomuad, P. D., Antiquina, L. M. M., Cericos, E. U., Bacus, J. A., Vallejo, J. H., Dionio, B. B., . . . Clarin, A. S. (2021). Teachers’ Workload in Relation to Burnout and Work Performance. International journal of educational policy research and review, 8(2), 48-53. doi:https://doi.org/10.15739/IJEPRR.21.007

    Kasau, O., Kaloki, J., Kitoo, B., Mutinda, J., & Kalai, J. (2016). Factors influencing teacher attrition in public secondary schools in Mbooni-East Sub-County, Kenya. International Journal of Education and Research, 4(3), 367-382.

    Mugizi, W., Ogaga Dafiewhare, A., Manyange, M., & Kiyundo Zikanga, D. (2020). Talent Development Practices and Work Engagement of in-Service Teachers at a Private University in Western Uganda. Journal of Educational Research and Reviews, 8(4), 57-66. doi:https://doi.org/10.33495/jerr_v8i4.20.125

    Mwosi, F., Eton, M., Olupot, S. P., & Ogwel, B. P. (2024). Employee Retention and Organizational Performance in Kabale District Local Government, Uganda. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 6(1), 1-12. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v6i1.1985

    Olagbende, O. V. (2022). WORK INPUTS AMONG PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS IN SELECTED PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ORIIRE LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF OYO STATE. WORK, 2(8).

    Olujuwon, T., Bamiro, N., Akudo, K., & Anagun, A. (2021). Teachers’ characteristics as predictor of the adoption of Eko excel pedagogical innovation in public primary schools in Lagos state, Nigeria. Ife Journal of Educational Management and Policy Analysis, 2(1), 14-33.

    Omotayo, S. S., Ojo, Y. C., & Aliyu, M. O. (2024). Salaries and Teachers’ Mobility Among Private Schools in Nigeria. Canadian Social Science, 20(4), 14-20. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/13504

    Onuka, A., & Ajayi, K. O. (2012). Effects of Manpower Development on Workers’ Job Performance. European journal of Educational studies, 4(3), 423-433.

    Onuka, A. O., & Arowojolu, A. (2008). An Evaluation of Parents’ Patronage of Private Primary Schools in Abeokuta, Nigeria. International Journal of African & African American Studies, 7(2), 58-70.

    Osita, F. C., Chukwuemeka-Onuzulike, N. F., Olayinka, H. O., & Onyeizugbe, C. U. (2024). Ergonomic Factors and Performance of Academics in Public Universities in Nigeria. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 6(2), 139-151. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v6i2.2079

    Pandya, J. D. (2024). Intrinsic & Extrinsic Motivation & Its Impact on Organizational Performance at Rajkot City: A Review. Journal of Management Research and Analysis, 11(1), 46-53. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.18231/j.jmra.2024.009

    Regin, R., Rajest, S. S., Shynu, T., & Steffi, R. (2023). Relationship Between Employee Loyalty and Job Satisfaction in an Organization. European Journal of Life Safety and Stability(12), 54-73.

    Sorensen, L. C., & Ladd, H. F. (2020). The Hidden Costs of Teacher Turnover. AERA open, 6(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/2332858420905812

    Srivastava, P. (2013). Low-fee private schooling: Issues and evidence. Low-fee private schooling: Aggravating equity or mitigating disadvantage, 1, 7-36.

    Standing, G. (2016). The Precariat: The New Dangerous Class: Bloomsbury Academic.

    Tooley, J., & Dixon, P. (2005). Private Education is Good for the Poor: A Study of Private Schools Serving the Poor in Low-Income Countries. Washington D.C: Cato Institute.

    Udodiugwu, M. I., Nwosu, C. C., Obiakor, U. J., & Nwumeh, U. J. (2024). Motivation through Indirect Compensation: Evaluating Employee Performance in Enugu State Civil Service Commission. Annals of Human Resource Management Research, 4(2), 79-96. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v4i2.2320

    Ugwulashi, C. S. (2012). Parent Teachers Association (PTA) roles and funding of private school administration in Nigeria. Asian Journal of Management Science and Education, 1(2), 103-110.

    UNESCO. (2021). Concept note for the 2021 Global education monitoring report on non-state actors. Retrieved from https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000372188

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  2. Abubakar, U. (2024). The Need for Enhancement of Teachers’ Pedagogical Skills for the Achievement of Quality Education in Private Schools in Sokoto State Nigeria. Eduscape: Journal of Education Insight, 2(2), 88-98. doi:https://doi.org/10.61978/eduscape.v2i2.159
  3. Adamu, T. (2015). Nigeria: Planned Revival of Teachers' Colleges in Nigeria. Retrieved from https://allafrica.com/stories/201512230629.html
  4. Adewale, S., Adebayo, S. S., & Afolabi, P. A. (2023). Managing school safety in Nigeria in the 21st century: The need for a balanced approach. African Journal of Humanities and Contemporary Education Research, 10(1), 72-78.
  5. Agi, K. U., & Adiele, E. E. (2015). Educational management. Port Harcourt: Harey publications.
  6. Amah, E. (2006). Human resource management. Nigeria: amethyst & colleagues publishers.
  7. Anukaenyi, B., Modebelu, M., & Mama, L. E. (2018). Fundamental Problems Faced by the Management of Private Secondary Schools in Enugu Metropolis. International Journal of Academic Research in Progressive Education & Development, 7(4), 267-279. doi:https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarped/v7-i4/4852
  8. Anwar, Y., Suwarno, B., & Harianti, S. (2023). The Effect of Teacher Motivation, Compensation, and Workload on Turnover Intention Through Job Satisfaction as a Mediating Variable. Jurnal Aplikasi Manajemen, 21(4), 1109-1122. doi:https://doi.org/10.21776/ub.jam.2023.021.04.18
  9. Benon, B., Barigye, E., & Bahati, R. (2024). Salary Disparity and Effectiveness of Teachers in Government Aided Secondary Schools of Bukanga County, Isingiro District. American Research Journal of Humanities & Social Science, 7(6), 92-99.
  10. Butler, J., & Athanasiou, A. (2013). Dispossession: The performative in the political: John Wiley & Sons.
  11. Chetty, R., Friedman, J. N., & Rockoff, J. E. (2014). Measuring the Impacts of Teachers I: Evaluating Bias in Teacher Value-Added Estimates. American Economic Review, 104(9), 2633-2679. doi:https://doi.org/10.3386/w19424
  12. Chudgar, A. (2015). Association between Contract Teachers and Student Learning in Five Francophone African Countries. Comparative Education Review, 59(2), 261-288. doi:https://doi.org/10.1086/680351
  13. Crawfurd, L., & Pugatch, T. (2021). Teacher Labor Markets in Developing Countries 1. In B. P. McCall (Ed.), The Routledge Handbook of the Economics of Education (pp. 193-217). London: Routledge.
  14. Darko, I. L. O., Bans-Akutey, A., Amoako, P., & Affum, L. K. (2024). Employee Retention and organizational Performance: Evidence from Ghana Police Service. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 5(3), 219-230. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v5i3.1855
  15. Darling-Hammond, L., Berry, B., & Thoreson, A. (2001). Does Teacher Certification Matter? Evaluating the Evidence. Educational evaluation and policy analysis, 23(1), 57-77. doi:https://doi.org/10.3102/01623737023001057
  16. Darling-Hammond, L., Chung, R., & Frelow, F. (2002). Variation in Teacher Preparation: How Well Do Different Pathways Prepare Teachers to Teach?. Journal of Teacher Education, 53(4), 286-302. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/0022487102053004002
  17. Ehigiamusoe, U. K. (2012). Private sector participation in secondary education in Nigeria: Implications for national development. International Journal of Development and Sustainability, 1(3), 1062-1074.
  18. Ekabu, P. (2019). The Level of Remuneration and Turnover Intention of Public Secondary School Teachers in Meru County: A Mixed Method Study. European Scientific Journal, 15(13), 1-18. doi:https://doi.org/10.19044/esj.2019.v15n13p1
  19. Elyashiv, R. A. (2019). School and District Leaders Talk about Teacher Attrition. Journal of Curriculum and Teaching, 8(3), 160-170. doi:https://doi.org/10.5430/jct.v8n3p160
  20. Gallant, A., & Riley, P. (2017). Early Career Teacher Attrition in Australia: Inconvenient Truths About New Public Management. Teachers and Teaching, 23(8), 896-913. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/13540602.2017.1358707
  21. Hafeez, U., & Akbar, W. (2015). Impact of Work-Life Balance on Job Satisfaction Among School Teachers of 21st Century. Australian Journal of Business and Management Research, 4(11), 25-37. doi:https://doi.org/10.52283/nswrca.ajbmr.20150411a03
  22. Han, J., Yin, H., & Wang, W. (2015). Exploring the Relationship between Goal Orientations for Teaching of Tertiary Teachers and Their Teaching Approaches in China. Asia Pacific Education Review, 16(4), 537-547. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s12564-015-9392-7
  23. Hanushek, E. A. (2011). The Economic Value of Higher Teacher Quality. Economics of Education review, 30(3), 466-479. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econedurev.2010.12.006
  24. Härmä, J. (2013a). Access or Quality? Why do Families Living in Slums Choose Low-Cost Private Schools in Lagos, Nigeria? Oxford Review of Education, 39(4), 548-566. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/03054985.2013.825984
  25. Härmä, J. (2013b). Private responses to state failure: The growth in private education (and why) in Lagos, Nigeria. National Center for the Study of Privatization in Education, Teachers College, Columbia University, Occasional Paper, 215.
  26. Harvey, D. (2017). The'new'imperialism: accumulation by dispossession Karl Marx (pp. 213-237): Routledge.
  27. Ichdan, D. (2024). The Effect of Training, Work Environment, Motivation, Job Satisfaction, and Career Satisfaction on Employee Productivity. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 6(1), 57-69. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v6i1.2264
  28. Igwe, L. (1999). Fundamentals of school community relations management: Political and Legal Dimensions. Port Harcourt: Pam Unique Publishers.
  29. Jomuad, P. D., Antiquina, L. M. M., Cericos, E. U., Bacus, J. A., Vallejo, J. H., Dionio, B. B., . . . Clarin, A. S. (2021). Teachers’ Workload in Relation to Burnout and Work Performance. International journal of educational policy research and review, 8(2), 48-53. doi:https://doi.org/10.15739/IJEPRR.21.007
  30. Kasau, O., Kaloki, J., Kitoo, B., Mutinda, J., & Kalai, J. (2016). Factors influencing teacher attrition in public secondary schools in Mbooni-East Sub-County, Kenya. International Journal of Education and Research, 4(3), 367-382.
  31. Mugizi, W., Ogaga Dafiewhare, A., Manyange, M., & Kiyundo Zikanga, D. (2020). Talent Development Practices and Work Engagement of in-Service Teachers at a Private University in Western Uganda. Journal of Educational Research and Reviews, 8(4), 57-66. doi:https://doi.org/10.33495/jerr_v8i4.20.125
  32. Mwosi, F., Eton, M., Olupot, S. P., & Ogwel, B. P. (2024). Employee Retention and Organizational Performance in Kabale District Local Government, Uganda. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 6(1), 1-12. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v6i1.1985
  33. Olagbende, O. V. (2022). WORK INPUTS AMONG PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS IN SELECTED PRIVATE SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN ORIIRE LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF OYO STATE. WORK, 2(8).
  34. Olujuwon, T., Bamiro, N., Akudo, K., & Anagun, A. (2021). Teachers’ characteristics as predictor of the adoption of Eko excel pedagogical innovation in public primary schools in Lagos state, Nigeria. Ife Journal of Educational Management and Policy Analysis, 2(1), 14-33.
  35. Omotayo, S. S., Ojo, Y. C., & Aliyu, M. O. (2024). Salaries and Teachers’ Mobility Among Private Schools in Nigeria. Canadian Social Science, 20(4), 14-20. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.3968/13504
  36. Onuka, A., & Ajayi, K. O. (2012). Effects of Manpower Development on Workers’ Job Performance. European journal of Educational studies, 4(3), 423-433.
  37. Onuka, A. O., & Arowojolu, A. (2008). An Evaluation of Parents’ Patronage of Private Primary Schools in Abeokuta, Nigeria. International Journal of African & African American Studies, 7(2), 58-70.
  38. Osita, F. C., Chukwuemeka-Onuzulike, N. F., Olayinka, H. O., & Onyeizugbe, C. U. (2024). Ergonomic Factors and Performance of Academics in Public Universities in Nigeria. Annals of Management and Organization Research, 6(2), 139-151. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/amor.v6i2.2079
  39. Pandya, J. D. (2024). Intrinsic & Extrinsic Motivation & Its Impact on Organizational Performance at Rajkot City: A Review. Journal of Management Research and Analysis, 11(1), 46-53. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.18231/j.jmra.2024.009
  40. Regin, R., Rajest, S. S., Shynu, T., & Steffi, R. (2023). Relationship Between Employee Loyalty and Job Satisfaction in an Organization. European Journal of Life Safety and Stability(12), 54-73.
  41. Sorensen, L. C., & Ladd, H. F. (2020). The Hidden Costs of Teacher Turnover. AERA open, 6(1). doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/2332858420905812
  42. Srivastava, P. (2013). Low-fee private schooling: Issues and evidence. Low-fee private schooling: Aggravating equity or mitigating disadvantage, 1, 7-36.
  43. Standing, G. (2016). The Precariat: The New Dangerous Class: Bloomsbury Academic.
  44. Tooley, J., & Dixon, P. (2005). Private Education is Good for the Poor: A Study of Private Schools Serving the Poor in Low-Income Countries. Washington D.C: Cato Institute.
  45. Udodiugwu, M. I., Nwosu, C. C., Obiakor, U. J., & Nwumeh, U. J. (2024). Motivation through Indirect Compensation: Evaluating Employee Performance in Enugu State Civil Service Commission. Annals of Human Resource Management Research, 4(2), 79-96. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/ahrmr.v4i2.2320
  46. Ugwulashi, C. S. (2012). Parent Teachers Association (PTA) roles and funding of private school administration in Nigeria. Asian Journal of Management Science and Education, 1(2), 103-110.
  47. UNESCO. (2021). Concept note for the 2021 Global education monitoring report on non-state actors. Retrieved from https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000372188