The Political Economy of The Teacher Shortage Crisis and The Proliferation of Private Schools in Obajana, Kogi State, Nigeria
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Abstract
This study examines the persistent shortage of qualified teachers and the proliferation of privately owned, low-standard schools in Obajana, Kogi State, through the lens of Critical Political Economy (CPE). It explores how capitalist labour dynamics, weak state capacity, and the hegemonic influence of Dangote Cement Plc have reshaped the educational labour market and deepened structural inequalities in access and quality. Drawing on a qualitative design, data were generated through Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with school proprietors, teachers (serving and former), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members, parents, and senior secondary school students. Thematic analysis reveals that poor remuneration, exploitative working conditions, and the allure of better-paying jobs in the industrial sector contribute to teacher attrition. This has forced many private schools to rely on NYSC members and underqualified personnel, undermining educational consistency and learning outcomes. Moreover, the regulatory vacuum enables the unchecked establishment of private schools by unqualified individuals, reinforcing the commodification of education in a profit-driven local economy. The findings highlight that the teacher crisis in Obajana is not a stand-alone educational problem but one embedded in broader political-economic contradictions of neoliberal restructuring and elite-driven development. The study concludes that sustainable solutions require a reinvigoration of public investment in education, improved teacher welfare, stricter regulatory oversight, and stronger public-private partnerships to mitigate the structural factors perpetuating inequality in the education sector.
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References
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