Akwa lbom public schools and the burden of learning difficulties
Education is believed to be a bedrock of development in any nation, and this truth, to a large extent, is dependent on the teachers’ sense of competence and commitment, since they do have a long-lasting impact on the lives of thier students.
Whether or not our teachers believe this, the above is true! That is why, once they believe that their occupation for which they were trained is of little consequence, their motivation and energy will be minimal, and they cannot help but convey same to their students. And when this happened, unfortunately, the learning environment will be devoid of excitement and will filled with boredom and perhaps anger, in some cases.
I have decided to address this issue because of the recent discovery of truancy and laxity in Akwa lbom state public schools by most of our secondary school teachers posted to rural communities of the state. And with this attitudes on the part of our teachers, l wonder if they are truly aware of their possible influence over their students and out society.
Thus, in attempting to examine teachers’ impact on their students, I have come to discover that, even after many years might have passed, their impact will persist, and will continue to influence the students’ lives years later. Yet, this is an indicative of the lifelong influence that teachers could have on their students.
This conviction is however, shared by many! Nevertheless, possibly, the most critical factor to succeeding in school, is teachers developing a close and nurturing relationship with their students. This is very obvious, given the fact that, students will need to feel that there is a teacher for instance, within schools whom they know and can trust, and to whom they can turn to, and who will act as their educator and academic instructor.
Unfortunately, in this part of the world, teachers are said to be absconded from their duty post over a periods of months and years on reasons best known to them. Thus, going by the recent discovery in Akwa lbom state public schools by the Akwa Ibom State Secondary Education Board ASSEB, under Governor Udom Emmanuel-led government. I will say that this is a disservice to our father land.
Although, the report had it that, these teachers who were absconded from their duty post were actually engaged in private businesses, while they continue to collect their salaries. Thus, the state government has vowed to disengage teachers for truancy and laxity in public schools. More so, the government has further insisted that, those who are determined to continue their service should show greater discipline and commitment.
However, information reaching me this evening, has also confirmed that some teachers do not go to school for up to one year, but stay at home to receive salaries. Thus, according to the state government, “Having gone round schools in the state for inspection, we discovered teachers who have not gone to school for a year
“it is not going to be business as usual, as we have improved on monitoring of schools. In the ASSEB, all members have been divided into groups for supervision and monitoring of schools across the three zones in the state to check teachers and students excesses that have become dangerous to learning”.
Having said that, my worry is about the future of these students and the impact of their learning in our society. For I think that if our teachers will take their occupation for which they were trained serious, such effort might equally be relevant for our students in today’s world.
And I also reason that, teachers’ sense of commitment to their profession might also serve as helpful guide in their attempts to provide positive learning experiences. Hence, what is done in our schools today will become the indelible impact of our tomorrow’s society.
Therefore, our teachers should never minimize the role they play in influencing students’ lives. And with a sense of competence, they will not only touch students’ minds but they will also touch their spirits. Thus, the students will see themselves in a good light and feel good about themselves for the rest of their lives. Hence teachers’ influence on their students is what I consider ‘a rare privilege’, which must be prized and nurtured effectively. I rest my case!
#Please Keep A Date With JOSEPH ATHANASIUS Next Week Tuesday
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