Educationists Task Parents On Mass Failure In Exams

Some educationists in Enugu State have urged parents to assist teachers in educating their children and wards to reduce cases of mass failure in examinations.

Mr Chumaife Nze, the Chairman of the Enugu State Branch of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), made the call in an interview with newsmen in Enugu on Thursday while speaking on the just-concluded World Teachers’ Day.

He said that parental encouragement would improve productivity.

“The issue of low performance in exams is a product of so many factors. The teachers may be doing their best but what of the parents.

“Are they encouraging their kids to study even when they are given homework to do at home?

“If we, parents encourage our kids, providing all necessary materials for them to learn, standard will be improved and the results will equally improve. ’’

The chairman also attributed the low performance of students to low morale of some teachers in schools.

He urged the Ministry of Education to encourage teachers by giving them incentives through emoluments and promotions for improved productivity.

Nze, however, congratulated teachers for marking the World Teachers’ Day, saying that a harder task was ahead of them as moral and nation-builders.

An Enugu-based educationist, Mrs Betty Agujiobi, told newsmen that there was need for re-orientation of teachers.

On recruitment of qualified teachers, she said that the State Government should stop recruitment of teachers who did not have professional qualifications.

“Those who are recruiting teachers – let them be given criteria. No recruitment of somebody who is not a professional teacher; somebody who has no certificate in education,  be it PGDE or NCE. If they stick to their guns without listening to people who come with complimentary cards, they will bring in the best. “

Agujiobi said it was unfortunate that the teaching profession was not given the respect it deserved.

She appealed to parents and government to encourage teachers by creating the environment conducive for teaching.