Teaching: A Profession I Never Wanted To Be In – By Abideen Muhammed
Loading ...In our secondary school days as students, we loved talking about what
we want to be in the future. Most students usually would tell you they
want to be doctors, lawyers, accountants among other highly revered
and handsomely paying jobs but no one ever wished to become a teacher,
for the obvious reason – Teachers are not handsomely paid, and as
such, not highly revered in the society.
Few students who occasionally do align with teaching are usually from
teaching parents – already captivated by the privileges they enjoy. In
fact, wishing someone to become a teacher is viewed as a curse, and
saying amen to such prayer becomes herculean.
But come to think of it, teaching is a very interesting field. The
truth is that the teachers of today were once an open enemy of
teaching. They never wanted to teach; one reason or the other led them
to teaching. Why then do they embrace the not too fascinating
profession they once sworn never to venture into.
It is therefore crystal clear that the hatred and wrong notion against
the teaching profession was/is inadvertently wrongly implanted in the
heart of every student.
Why Teaching is hated?
Some are of the belief that a major reason for attending schools is to
banish poverty, because education gives access to wealth. However,
this belief may be erroneous after all. In as much as we seek
education for professional qualifications and riches, then the
question that must be asked is: why are teachers (who get others
educated) not always very bouyant? And why are they not always very
stupendously rich like other civil or public servants?
In as much as the society may be blameworthy for not according
teachers due regard, many so called educators too, especially male
teachers do not help matters with their unprofessional conducts –
sexually harassing their students. Teachers of today, rather than
being exemplary, take bribes from students, indulge in examination
malpractices, threaten students with failures and above all, receive
salaries without delivering in their primary responsibility.
Consequently, upright students are always at logger-heads with such
corrupt ‘educators’ with much hatred built up in their mind.
Teaching not fascinating!
Aside from educational degrees like Dr (Ph.D) and attainment of
professorship title, while many career persons and professionals bear
revered titles as: Doctor, Engineer, Surveyor, Architect, Barrister
and so on, an average teacher merely bears Mr or Mrs. This, to many is
not dignifying enough.
This title-less nature of teaching naturally distant students from the
profession – just as nobody wants to be called a farmer. To them, the
title teacher or farmer looks disgusting.
In fact, some women prefer to be addressed as full housewives rather
than be addressed as a teacher. At a village gathering or family
meetings, parents exhibit pride in introducing their children with
their professional titles; such as ‘my son is a lawyer, a doctor or an
accountant but they rarely could proudly identify with their child who
is a teacher. What a victim of circumstance!
Why so much hatred for teaching?
It is difficult to say categorically where the hatred stemmed from but
what is clear is that teaching is not regarded as a profession of
first choice, particularly at primary and secondary school levels.
Teaching is however an interesting profession if well treated.
The same reservation made some to tag themselves as conditional
teachers – those who believe they are simply teaching for teaching
sake and not out of willingness or keen interest. They plan to leave
teaching either sooner or later. The implication of this mind-set is
that the teachers will neither put in his best nor better himself by
improving his professional skills.
The government’s take:
Yes, the government take a large chunk of the blame as the major cause
of this wrong notion. This is typified by meagre budgetary allocation
and total neglect of educational infrastructure.
Despite the scarcity of professionals in education field, our
government has never seen it as a challenge to remedy the situation.
They view standardising of learning centres as a sheer waste of
resources. Their usual cliche is: whoever will learn will learn and
vice versa. They are less concerned as far as their children school
abroad.
Due to the fact, teachers are encouraged to cut corners. Many states
public officials, politicians and lawmakers receive humongous pay to
the neglect of the teachers who go through pains to produce them. If
teachers are well taken care of, it would be easy to address their
misconducts and if they are happy being teachers, education of Nigeria
will move to a greater height.
Private Schools Owners Worsen Situation:
The pain teachers in private schools go through is rather unbearable.
Private school owners only make use of teachers to enrich their
pockets.
The difference between private schools teachers and those in
government schools is clearly not comparable in terms of care, welfare
and privileges.
The adverse effects of these exploitations is that it discourages
education graduates from seeking employment in private schools. Hence,
a teacher becomes a scarce commodity. The only way out is for our
private schools’ management to change their attitude towards teachers.
Teaching as a profession:
Teachers are like a radical agent – a single unit that produces all
other units. No amount of money can equate their effort just like no
amount of milk can equate the breast milk of a mother. They are like a
candle that share light to others without losing its value. A great
mentor that sacrifices his life and time to mend the lives of others.
Without them the humanity has no hope of producing a worthwhile
offsprings. They are the changer of the world.
Teachers hide their problems to solve others’. That is why we have the
saying: The reward of a teacher is in heaven! The teacher may not have
money but he has value, more than any other person. A community that
has no teachers will ever remain in darkness.
Hence, teaching is a worthwhile profession and anything worth doing is
worth doing well. Teaching is the work of all prophets. No one, I say
no one can be compared to a teacher. Not even the farmer. Anybody can
choose to become a farmer; you can plant, grow and produce your food
with little knowledge but no one can teach what he does not know.
Teaching is to practice what you preach and perfect what you practice.
Ways to Loving Teaching:
Problems well defined is half solved. These are suggested ways to
restore the love of teaching in students.
- Lessen the work of our teachers
- Creating a special program for whoever wants to be in education sector..
- Pay teachers handsomely and timeously.
- There should be orientation programs on “how to become a teacher”
just as students should be encouraged to go for teaching.
- Government should provide necessary facilities for schools to
enhance teaching and organise regular seminars for teachers.
- Communities should let people understand the value of being a
teacher and should always host teachers to awards, dinners, etc.
The Pleasure of Teaching:
The teachers may not be highly remunerated, but the profession is more
highly pleasurable than many others. A teacher gets rewarded even
after his death.
These are few advantages of being a teacher::
Time Factor::
One major profession to be to have enough time and attention for your
family is teaching. There exists a lot resting period, especially the
weekends. Being in teaching profession is the best job, particularly
for a married woman.
Double Reward:
As a teacher, apart from the humble pay/salary you receive, you also
get prayers from the parents, their parents are always happy to meet
you. They usually find a space in their hearts to place your love for
ever. In a typical African social setting, whenever you buy from
students’ parents, you pay less. At times, parents are ready to even
give free of charge.
Invaluable Experience:
Teaching is an experience that cannot be earned in a market place. The
joy of a teacher can neither be shared nor expressed. Teaching exposes
you to happenings around the world. The experience gathered becomes
handy and readily available in the nurturing of your own children.
Challenges encountered in the process can only make you stronger.
Gender Equity and Equality:
Perhaps the only profession where females are highly regarded or even
sometimes more revered than their male counterparts is teaching. No
discrimination whatsoever is experienced in the working place unlike
in other professions like farming, mining, military where females
cannot work conveniently or independently. In fact, females are more
advantaged in primary schools as their services are demanded the more.
Molder of Character and Protector of Religious Rights :
As someone in teaching line, you are closer to the students than their
parents. Parents and religious bodies rely on teachers to teach
students the essential values in life, to teach them to be religious
and protect them from falling into wrong hands among others.
Consequently, I confessed that I initially never wanted to teach but
now I would rather die a teacher.
Abideen Muhammed Ayomide is a student at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of
Education in the department of Mathematics.
