The academic landscape in Kaduna State is facing a deepening crisis as a growing wave of discontentment sweeps through its tertiary institutions. At the heart of the issue lies a stark and demoralizing pay disparity, where entry-level National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members reportedly earn more than seasoned lecturers with years of experience. This anomaly has sparked outrage and disillusionment among educators, who describe the situation as insulting and a blatant disregard for their contributions to the education sector. The paltry salaries of lecturers, ranging from N63,000 to N65,000, stand in stark contrast to the N77,000 allowances received by corps members, a disparity that has left many struggling to make ends meet in a challenging economic climate. This financial strain is particularly acute for family men and women who bear the responsibility of providing for their households on meager incomes that have remained stagnant for years.
The impact of this salary disparity is reverberating across institutions like Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, Zaria, and the Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya, leading to a concerning exodus of qualified staff. Lecturers express their frustration at the irony of training corps members who then earn more than their mentors. The message this sends to the academic community is one of devaluation and disrespect, further eroding morale and motivation. Even more experienced lecturers, those holding the position of Lecturer III with over five years of service, find themselves earning a mere N80,000, barely surpassing the compensation of newly inducted corps members. This disparity underscores the systemic neglect of the teaching profession in the state, creating a fertile ground for resentment and prompting many to seek greener pastures elsewhere.
The situation is further exacerbated by the additional state support and incentives that NYSC members receive, widening the gap between their earnings and those of the lecturers who train them. The resulting financial pressure has become unbearable for many educators, forcing them to make difficult choices about their careers and futures. A number of lecturers have already resigned from their positions, seeking better opportunities at institutions like Kaduna State University. This brain drain is a significant loss for the state’s education system, depriving students of experienced and dedicated educators. The personal stories of lecturers struggling to survive on meager salaries paint a grim picture of the challenges they face, with some forced to withdraw their children from school and others battling illness without adequate resources.
Beyond the issue of salaries, the decay of infrastructure at the Kaduna State College of Education, Gidan Waya, adds another layer of complexity to the crisis. The college’s hostels, once vibrant hubs of student life, now stand abandoned and dilapidated, overtaken by vegetation, with crumbling walls and leaking roofs. Students are forced to seek off-campus accommodation, facing exorbitant rents that further strain their limited resources. The neglect of these essential facilities has created an unhealthy and unwelcoming environment, hindering the learning process and impacting the overall quality of education. The lack of basic amenities like water, electricity, and sanitary facilities exacerbates the challenges faced by students and staff alike.
The college’s decline has far-reaching consequences, extending beyond the campus walls and impacting the local economy. Businesses in Gidan Waya, once thriving on the presence of a bustling student population, are now struggling to survive as the institution’s neglect drives students away. The once vibrant town has become a shadow of its former self, highlighting the interconnectedness between the college’s well-being and the economic prosperity of the surrounding community. This decline underscores the urgent need for intervention to revitalize the college and restore its role as an engine of economic growth.
At the root of the salary stagnation lies the Kaduna State Government’s refusal to implement the CONTEDISS salary structure, a scheme enjoyed by federal and some state colleges of education. This refusal has left lecturers in Kaduna State lagging behind their counterparts in other parts of the country, further fueling their discontent. The rising cost of living, with escalating prices for essential goods and services, adds to the burden faced by educators. Transportation costs have skyrocketed, making it increasingly difficult for lecturers to commute to work and access basic necessities. The combination of stagnant salaries and escalating living expenses has created a perfect storm, pushing many educators to the brink of financial ruin. While a three-day warning strike was recently suspended following government intervention, the underlying issues remain unresolved, and stakeholders are calling on Governor Uba Sani to take decisive action to address the crisis and prevent the further collapse of the education sector. The future of education in Kaduna State hangs in the balance, dependent on the government’s willingness to prioritize the welfare of its educators and invest in the infrastructure necessary to provide quality education for its citizens.
