No doubt, every right thinking person eagerly wishes to know what he/she
does not or is yet to know. Such attribute can be referred to as ‘Man’s quest
for knowledge’.
In the same vein; for anyone to acquire any form of knowledge, he must
be taught by someone or something. In a situation whereby the knowledge
recipient is being taught by a non-human such as book, internet or as the case
may be, it is worth noting that that material or avenue through which he
acquired the knowledge was invented by someone or a human.
Someone who imparts knowledge to other person(s), directly or
indirectly, is generally referred to as a teacher. In a concise term; a teacher
is someone who teaches others better ways of doing something or a better way of
living. He can also be described as someone who helps or contributes
meaningfully in the uplift of someone else’s educational status/level. In other
words, teaching is simply the act of imparting knowledge.
This singular fact has proven to us that anyone can be identified as a
teacher, considering the relationship that exists between the persons involved.
But it would interest us to acknowledge that, there are those or group of
persons who embrace teaching as a profession. This set of people could be
regarded as ‘Institutional teachers’.
In most cases, the institutional teachers are the ones that are often recognized
as ‘Teachers’ owing to the fact that they are the only persons that bring out
their time, energy, resources, and what have you, to the fullness, to ensure
that knowledge is fully and duly obtained by its seekers. Among all, anyone who
practices teaching or who takes teaching as a profession, must had passed
through a certain professional educational training in any recognized higher
citadel of learning.
In view of the outstanding impact of the teaching profession in any
society, there is no gain reiterating the fact that it is no doubt a respected
profession, but it is appalling to observe that the members of the said
profession in most countries across the globe are seemingly vulnerable
regarding their financial worth.
In several nations, particularly
developing ones, it is disheartening to note that this set of people known as
teachers whom had contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of
the respective nations, are treated poorly or badly as regards payment of
salaries and other incentives. It is even more pathetic and disgusting to note
that in some quarters, these professionals whom are meant to be the leading class
are regarded as second class if not third class citizens.
If the truth must be told, then we all must agree that it is only an
insane individual that is yet to comprehend the fact that teachers are the
building block of any nation. Needless to say; they remain the rudiments or
foundation on which any nation is built.
The civil society and other stakeholders are expected to encourage the teaching profession by ensuring that the following conditions are reached by any employer:
v
Good
and enticing employment conditions including appropriate contracts, salaries,
and prospects for career progression and promotion.
v
Conducive
and charming work environment.
v
High
quality pre- and in-service training.
v
Effective
management to include a teacher’s recruitment and deployment.
The law makers in their oversight function are expected to play a very
vital role in respect to this proposal. A strict law regarding teachers’
wellbeing could be enacted with a view to boosting the effectiveness and
efficiency of the said professionals in Nigeria.
The international community and various governments need to stand firm
and united to support teachers as well as quality learning worldwide,
especially in those countries where the highest number of out-of-school
children exists. In this regard, they are meant to acknowledge that an
education system is only as good as its teachers.
Above all and most importantly, the various existing teachers’ unions or
organizations are also required to support their respective governments in the
area of maintenance of sanity in our schools. By so doing, anomalies like
mediocrity, laxity, apathy, truancy, among other nonchalant attitudes of some
teachers would be totally eradicated.
The proposed measure if properly
implemented would enable any teacher anywhere in the world to proudly identify
him/herself as ‘a Teacher’ regardless of the circumstance.
(The Media Ambassador)
_____________________________________
frednwaozor@gmail.com
+2348028608056 Twitter: fdnnwaozor
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