By Bukola Olamona
With the COVID-19 bitting harder and private school teachers not receiving their salaries since March, this year, some of them have resorted to learning new skills.
Investigations by The Hope revealed that many of the teachers are now finding it difficult to feed and thereby looking for alternatives in order to meet their needs.
It was gathered that some have resorted to home lessons for services to pupils to keep a float.
In an interview with one of the teachers who is now learning hair dressing but pleaded anonymity, said when she observed that time was going and she had been wasting away at home, she decided to make use of her time.
According to her “I know by the time I am through with this new skill which I am learning, I will become a better person and will not be waiting for salary anymore .
” Even where I am learning now, whenever people come to make hair know that I am a teacher, they are always sympathetic and want to help. I think my decision to learn new skill has helped a lot,” she added
Also, another teacher, from a private school in Oba- Ile, Mr Arowojola Benson said ,he had returned to farming since March when he observed that salaries would not be forthcoming, saying, that at least he has been coming home with some benefits.
“Though, it is not easy but I have started enjoying waking up and going to the farm instead of staying at home and waiting for help that may never come. I am happy eating some of what I planted, like vegetables. So, I advise that some of my colleagues should find something to do and not wait, as no one knows when this pandemic will end,” he stated.
Miss Irene Opeoluwa who is learning Fashion designing said though it has not started bringing money but she felt fulfilled learning a skill.
” I know by the time I finish learning this, I will be a better person and I might end up not going back to teaching but making a living out of it as this COVID-19 is an eye opener,” she said .
It Would be recalled that private schools teachers last received salaries in March.
