HOW PRIVATE SCHOOL TEACHERS CAN BECOME VERY RICH.
My attention has been drawn to the widespread lament of most people over the 'peanuts' paid to teachers in private schools.
I'm the Proprietor of Noble Group of Schools and I worked as a teacher for seven years before starting Noble, so such lamentations gets to my heart.
The average Nigerian believes that there's a lot of Money in the Private School sector. They believe every private school owner is swimming in millions.
Infact, many believe most private school proprietors are both greedy and stingy.
Greedy and stingy.
Some also wonder why Private school teachers should not be paid as much as those teachers in the public schools, since private school teachers put in more work than those in the public schools.
These are valid points, very valid.
The only issue is that most of us see things just from the side of the teachers. No one really cares about the EXPENSES involved in opening/running a private school IN NIGERIA.
We already know that running a business in this part of the world is damn tough. The system is set up to favour only the rich. Infact, certain government policies are so tough and expensive that most people close down before they even break even.
Apart from salary, which is a monthly payment, there are a litany of other expenses. Most proprietors still pay rent and other utilities.
Then comes the multiple taxations from different government arms.
Then you must pay for annual license renewal etc.
Most times, salary is only 50% or less of your expenses especially when you're just starting.
Many of these private schools are standing on loans, so the proprietor is really struggling to pay off the loans.
All these happen before you even talk of profit. Remember, it is a business and Oga/Madam must make profit if the school must keep running.
Another error is when teachers compare their pay with the pay in another Private school. Just like comparing the pay of teachers in XYZ private school with that in ABC private school.
XYZ may have like 3000 students with school fees around N50,000; and about to celebrate their 75th anniversary. ABC may have like 61 students with school fees around N9,000 and less than 4 years.
You see the mistake in comparing the two?
So we may have to accept the bitter fact that private school teachers may have to endure low pay.
Most times the pay is so low that it cannot even pay for Mr. Teacher's basic needs, talk more of luxury. It becomes worse when the teacher is a tenant with spouse and children.
OK, now since private schools may not be able to cough out fat envelopes for teachers, the alternative is for the teachers themselves to seek out ways to make extra money, while still working as teachers.
One thing I tell my teachers during our trainings is that IT IS NOT THE RESPONSIBILITY OF NOBLE HIGH SCHOOL TO MAKE YOU RICH.
Think over that. I know its blunt, but isn't that true?
You'll be miserable if you only depend on the government or a boss or parent to build wealth.
That said, most teachers begin to lose the money game by romancing the excuse that their job cannot allow them to do any other thing.
Na lie!
I know most schools operate till 4p.m some days of the week.
But remember teachers don't work on weekends. What of holidays?
Lazy teachers will still say they are busy making notes and teaching on weekends and holidays.
That's a weak excuse for a teacher ready to build wealth.
Let me show just few things teachers can do to make extra cash.
-Writing of Novels and Textbooks.
I wrote my book WELCOME TO SECONDARY SCHOOL as a classroom teacher. That book has remained my bestseller.
Most teachers are too lazy in this area. And if you tell me you are a teacher and you can't invest your midnights into research to write a textbook in your subject(s), then forget it, you're not yet ready for money.
Some say they don't write because they have no money to publish. My answer has always been, 'Write it first and I'll show you how to publish'
-Organising Private/Holidays Lessons.
Almost every teacher can do this one, and there's money in it. I was doing this as a teacher. In fact there was a time I use to employ other teachers to handle my private lessons, because many parents wanted it. Remember I was still a classroom teacher then.
-Poultry and other animal farming.
The thing is that most teachers don't think in this direction. Some will plaster you with ten thousand reasons why they can't rear animals. My principal has a piggery and she's making cool cash from it.
-Typing/Printing/Photocopying.
My vice principal runs a small cyber café. He handles the typing/printing/photocopying of all our exam questions. He makes cool cash from this.
-You can have a shop.
My formal vice principal has a shop in front of his house where he sells electronics. He operates in the evenings and weekends. The man makes cool cash.
-Selling of Data and Recharge Cards.
This one doesn't even require a physical shop. Your smart phone is enough. I won't preach much on this one. Chime Chinonso Simon is an expert who can teach you all you need to know on this.
-Hair Dressing/Tailoring/Laundry services.
These are things teachers can learn and do at home and over the weekends, midterm breaks, public holidays and holidays.
-Web Designing/App Development/E-commerce
These ones can give you millions if you play your game well. I had a staff who was an expert in web/app building. Today he has resigned to focus on that. The guy is doing well.
-Real Estate
One of our teachers is an expert in helping people buy/sell lands. He collects a handsome "agent commission" It has not stopped him from teaching. Infact, he's one of our best staff.
-Public Speaking / Consulting.
During my time as a secondary school teacher, I was moving around this country organising and speaking in trainings for writers and public speakers. I do those ones during the holidays and weekends. I was becoming popular, money was coming in and it did not stop me from teaching.
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We must keep on campaigning for higher salaries for private school teachers. This is very important, because most school owners are very reluctant in that area.
But that is not enough.
Teachers themselves must shine their eyes. Don't box yourself into only one tiny stream of income.
This is 21st century. There are many options to wealth.
Explore those options and become rich.
Or fold your arms and manage your 'monthly peanuts
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