2022 Teachers’ Day: A time to recognize the challenges facing teachers
Posted by Ahmed Iyanda | 2 years ago | 1,306 times
While the world is celebrating teachers on the occasion of the World Teachers' Day 2022 celebration , it is of importance to also look into the challenges teachers are facing in trying to develop the education sector.
It is of no doubt that teachers are one of the most important factors affecting whether and what children learn. Teachers have the greatest influence on young people(men and women) transitioning to adulthood, while the quality of teaching has a significant impact on children’s learning in school.
Teachers Day is an event celebrated annually to show appreciation to teachers worldwide for their immense contribution to the growth and development of the education sector. It is a day set aside to show honour and gratitude to teachers and look into the challenges they are facing in trying to improve the educational system.
But today, on World Teachers’ Day, we must not only celebrate the importance of good teachers, but also recognize and address the many challenges and burdens facing them.
The theme for this year is: “The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers”
This theme was chosen by UNESCO in respect of their(teachers) determined and diligent efforts in the crucial stages of the Covid-19 pandemic.
As the world is progressing rapidly, the mode of education has changed from conventional teaching to technical, skilful, professional and virtual education. The United Nations (UNESCO) recommended this theme to honor the efforts made by those teachers during the pandemic COVID-19. The schools, colleges, and universities remained closed and all the people were depressed and scared. However, it could not destabilize the dedication and courage of teachers.
Undoubtedly, the transformation of education begins with teachers coupled with the fact that, at the very center of educational quality is the hardworking teacher who not only prepares students to become globally competitive but also inspires them to become responsible citizens of their country.
Transformation cannot take place if we refuse to value and look into the unstable state of Nigerian teachers in the comity of teachers globally.
The quality of education in any country is one of the major keys to national development. Unfortunately, the quality of education in Nigeria is suffering a steady decline, which makes it alarming and scary.
The challenges…
The Executive Director of Emerald Edu Concept and Services, Odusanya Olalekan Adeola disclosed that poor funding, poor salary, poor welfare , are among other challenges facing Nigerian teachers.
"When you look at the volume of the work teachers are doing, the time they spend does not commemorate what they are getting as salary."
"The teachers have not fared well. First, their social needs and other needs have not been adequately attended to. We have cases of non-payment of salaries, poor facilities, and no training. These things demoralise the teachers."
Olalekan noted that lack of infrastructure and resources are other factors affecting the education sector.
He said, "Education infrastructure is an important factor in determining the quality of learning, however, most public schools lack basic infrastructure, such as laboratory, library, electricity and quality learning environment."
Transformation of education begins with teachers
Speaking on the theme, Olalekan said teachers are transformers based on professionalism and community and global engagement, adding that digital transformation is one of the key factors to transforming the education sector.
Digital transformation is so much in the education space that in the next ten years, it will take over the traditional teaching.
“In the 21st century, teachers must do far more than their writing on the board. Teaching should not be limited to the class. You must be able to teach anywhere, anytime and any day. You must also be able to transfer knowledge, skills and morals. This can be achieved with the help of technology," he added.
For solutions, the Educationist called on employers of teachers to consider increasing salaries and other remunerations for teachers to put them at par with their counterparts in other sectors, adding that teachers are demotivated in because their remuneration is abysmally low.
He urged the government to review the educational system and fomulate policies to make it more inclusive and make that would capture all groups, adding that the government needs to increase funding to schools.
