Repositioning Universal Basic Education: A Need For Teachers Retraining And Motivation For National Development

Abstract

Motivation is the driving force that generates and sustains action towards the achievement of a set goal. It is closely related and affects teachers’ efficiency and effectiveness in the classroom, which have far reaching implications for national transformation since the teacher is the live wire of education enterprise. This paper delves into the place of motivation for repositioning Universal Basic Education (UBE) for national transformation. The status of UBE teachers’ motivation was portrayed in relation to motivational factors and it is evident that UBE teachers lack proper motivation and this affects their service delivery negatively. The lack of motivation among UBE teachers is evidence in the poor and irregular payment of salaries as well as lack of incentives; work overload, poor teaching environment and facilities as well as low status of teachers in the society. The paper also elucidated the roles of motivation in teaching profession for national transformation. These roles include: Production of goal-oriented teacher; production of conscientious and pain-staking teacher; helps to make a teacher maintain a friendly classroom environment; and helps to check brain drain in the teaching profession. Suggested strategies for motivating UBE teachers for national transformation include: enhancement and prompt payment of teachers’ salaries and allowances; provision of car and housing loans; provision of free medical services for teachers and their children/wards; provision of free and compulsory in-service training, and provision of better teaching and learning environment in UBE school. Conclusion was drawn. 

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