Education

The Teacher We Need

Published

7 months ago

October 9, 2023

One piece of writing that captured my fancy this season was that composed by a renowned writer of our time, Abel Peter, Peter in his work “Celebrating the Unsung Heroes: World Teachers’ Day,” said “The world is evolving at a pace that seems almost surreal. Technological advancements, societal shifts, and the ever-growing pool of information — it is a lot to keep up with. Yet, in the midst of this whirlwind, teachers stand strong. They are the lighthouses, steering ships through the stormy seas of knowledge.” Wow! These are indeed virtues the society is yet to acknowledge and perhaps reward accordingly. But the question is what happens when the number of lighthouses starts dwindling?
Going through Abel Peter’s line of thought in his piece, any follower of events and happenings in the education sector, would agree that the theme of 2023 World Teachers’ Day; “The Teachers We Need for the Education we want: the global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage,” takes us to the heart of a global concern —the abundance of impostors in the field of teaching without the requisite know-how for knowledge impartation as well as character moulding and transformation which are the hallmarks of the teachers the society needs. The poor state of the Nigerian economy, has caused so much holes in the wall of education by letting the core teachers leave the field in search of greener pastures thereby creating vacancies for charlatans to occupy all in a bid to secure employment in the absence of one in their area of specialty.
Inundating the teaching profession with “people without the passion and patience for teaching experience” is tantamount to exposing the child to a world without a guardian, inspirator, and one to share the joy of discovery. It is a world we do not want to imagine because, without teachers, there is no education. It is like a symphony without a conductor. Becoming a teacher goes beyond securing a job instead of staying idle, it is a calling, it is about shaping minds, moulding futures, and being the change you want to see in the world.
The lack of recognition of people in this profession is the reason for the brain-drain in this area as well as the challenges that come with the territory. It must be made clear that teaching is a labour the society owes to appreciate. It is time we recognised and appreciated our educators not just in words but in actions. It is time to celebrate the profession for what it truly is — a beacon of hope. Imagine being the reason a child falls in love with numbers, with words, with the wonders of science. Imagine being the reason a child falls head over heels for numbers, for words, for the wonders of science. Teaching is not confined to the subjects you teach; it is about the lives you touch. It is about being a mentor, a guide, and sometimes, a shoulder to lean on. It is about instilling values, inspiring dreams, and creating a ripple effect that transcends generations.
Imagine a world where every child has a mentor, a guide, and a friend in their teacher. It is not just wishful thinking; it is a vision we can turn into reality. We can make the celebration of teachers a regular thing by supporting and investing in education, recognising that teachers are the cornerstone of a brighter future for all and by becoming the teachers of the future. Together, we can ensure that the teacher we need continues to inspire and guide us toward a more enlightened and inclusive world. Furthermore, the teacher we need is a lifelong learner. They recognise that knowledge is ever-expanding, and they lead by example in their pursuit of continuous learning. They inspire curiosity and critical thinking in their students, preparing them to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Inclusive education is at the heart of the teacher we need. They embrace diversity and create inclusive classrooms where every student feels valued and respected. By fostering an environment of inclusivity, teachers empower their students to appreciate differences and develop a global perspective. Often, their efforts go unnoticed or are undervalued.
It is essential that we recognise and appreciate their hard work and commitment to the betterment of society. Let us remember that the teacher we need is not just a figure in the classroom but a beacon of hope, a catalyst for change, and a guardian of knowledge. They are the unsung heroes who shape the future generation, moulding them into responsible citizens who will carry the torch of progress and enlightenment. In conclusion, let us honour and appreciate the teachers in our lives for their invaluable contributions. “The Teacher We Need,” invites us to explore the profound impact educators have on our lives and the qualities that make them indispensable. In an era of rapid technological advancements and shifting educational landscapes, the role of a teacher has evolved far beyond the confines of a classroom.
Today, teachers are not just conveyors of knowledge; they are mentors, facilitators, and influencers who inspire and guide students on their journeys to becoming informed, engaged, and responsible global citizens. One crucial aspect of “The Teacher We Need” is adaptability. In the face of constant change, teachers must be flexible and innovative, adapting their teaching methods to cater to the diverse needs of their students. The modern teacher embraces technology, integrating it seamlessly into the learning process while preserving the essence of human connection. Empathy and understanding are qualities that define the ideal teacher. In a world filled with complexities and challenges, teachers serve as anchors of emotional support for their students. They not only educate but also nurture the emotional well-being of their students, helping them navigate the ups and downs of life.
Thus, the theme of this year is not just a call to action; it is a siren wailing in our ears, urging us to wake up to the reality — a world on the brink of an education crisis due to shortage of teachers. The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage is more than a theme; it is a rallying cry for change, for a brighter future, and for a world where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. Therefore, it is not just an issue of concern for the education sector alone, it is a societal responsibility.

By: Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi

Education

Former VC Advocates Drug Test For University Lecturers

Published

2 weeks ago

April 29, 2024

The Tide

Prof. Muhammad AbdulAziz, the immediate past Vice Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi state, has advocated drug tests for lecturers to sanitise the university system.
Mr AbdulAziz stated this in a valedictory speech to the Senate of the University at a handing-over ceremony to his successor, Prof. Sani Kunya, the new acting Vice Chancellor of the institution.
While commending the decision by the Federal Ministry of Education to introduce drug tests for students seeking admission to all universities, he said such tests should be extended to lecturers.
According to him, it would further sanitise the university system and promote sanctity and academic excellence.
“We have discussed with the Federal Ministry of Education and they want to introduce to all universities that before any student would be registered in the universities, he or she must undergo drug tests.
“If students should undergo drug tests, I believe that even some of us, the lecturers, need to undergo the same test so that we know our status.
“We also have to volunteer ourselves to have this test done on us because we have to sanitise the university.
“If the students are to be subjected to drug tests to determine their mental health status, nothing is wrong if the lecturers too are subjected to the same test.
That is the only way to check excesses in the university system,” he said.
Mr AbdulAziz said the modest achievements recorded during his tenure were in the areas of infrastructural development, academic content development and community services.
He said the achievements recorded could not have been made possible without the support of all stakeholders in the system.
He appreciated the federal government for the support rendered to the University through the Federal Ministry of Education and its various agencies like the National Universities Commission and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.
Read Also:Students to undertake drug test before admission UniAbuja
Also speaking, the new acting VC of the university expressed gratitude to the Senate for finding him worthy of the honour and to the federal government for his confirmation.
“I want to assure you that I will justify the confidence reposed in me by not disappointing you all.

Education

Don Seeks 20%Increased Budget Allocation To Education

Published

2 weeks ago

April 29, 2024

The Tide

A Professor of Economics in the Faculty of Social Sciences University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Prof Willie J. Okowa has called on government at all levels to increase her Education sectorial budgetary allocation to twenty percent of their annual budget , saying that such efforts will improve the development of education in the country.
Okowa said each government wether local, state or federal governments should devote an increased proportion of her annual budget to education such that in the next five to ten years , so that we can see at least 20 percent of her budget to the education sector.
He made this call while presenting the 42nd convocation lectures at the just concluded Iaue convocation ceremonies held at the university auditorium in port harcourt, recently.
He posisted that the economy has a nexus with sustainable higher education to the effect that a robust economy plays a key role in the sustainability of higher .education , while a sustainable higher education plays a supportive economic growth and development
“On the hand,a failing economy can hardly support a sustainable higher education”.
According to him ,a growing economy easily provides the finances to fund sustainable higher education while a education provides the relevant skills and the manpower needs required to propel economic growth and development,”of course, The Inadequate provision of higher educational facilities will fail to the manpower needs required by the economy to support its growth and development”
“The ability of an economy to adquately find higher education also depends on the rate of the population ,the higher the rate of growth of population, the more the number of the people that require higher education .Hence ,a rapid population growth puts more pressure on the ability of the economy to adquately fund higher education, irrespective of its performance.”
“Population growth , economic growth and the adequate funding of higher education are therefore intricately interlinked.The adequacy of the funds that an economy provides to finance higher education also depends on how well the managers of our education institutions manage such funds.
If people who lack character , integrity and merit are appointed to helms of affairs institutions,then funds can hardly be adequate .on the other hands ,if people of character, integrity and merit are given such appointments ,then the outcome will be much better” he stated.
The erudite scholar opined that Nigerian universities and colleges are also passing through strange times and outlined outdated laboratories , inadequate classrooms, adding that many students involved in drugs and prostitution.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

Bauchi Govt Threatens To Revoke Scholarship Of Unserious Students

Published

2 weeks ago

April 29, 2024

The Tide

The Bauchi State government has cautioned that it will cease payment of external exam fees for Senior Secondary Three, SS3 students found skipping classes.
Commissioner for Education, Jamila Dahiru gave the warning in Bauchi during her school resumption inspection and monitoring visits to some schools on Wednesday.
The Tide’s source recalls that Governor Bala Mohammed earlier allocated N396.9 million for the 2023/2024 external exams of 14,170 students in public schools.
The external examinations paid for included the West African Examination Council, WAEC, the National Examination Council l, NECO, National Board for Arabic and Islamic Studies (NBAIS) and the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB.
However, the Commissioner, who was furious with the low level of attendance of especially the SS3 students in some schools, recounted how she met less than 20 percent of the SS3 students who were around when she visited a particular school.
She stressed the need for students to return to class and prepare diligently, threatening to revoke scholarships for ‘unserious ones.’
Her words: “We just realised that most of these students, after being taught from JSS1 to SS3 and with Gov. Bala Mohammed paying for their external exams, and as soon as they were done with their mock exams, they left school and won’t return until the first day of their external exams.
“It is sad to acknowledge that we are not responsible as parents because I want to believe that they have parents who are seeing them attending schools simply because they are getting ready to just write their external examinations.
“We want to make them come back to class, we want to emphasize that we are investing in the right people because it is just telling us that it is the government that bothers about their education while they don’t care and probably their parents that are allowing them to stay at home also do not care.