St. Augustines College New Karu

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SAC EDUFARE

Congratulations and happy International girl child day to all our dearest students

Sensitization visits by SAC female students to some selected schools in commemoration of International Day of the Girl Child with the theme "Invest in Girls'Right. Our Leadership , our wellbeing". SANITATION PADS were distributed to the female students too.

*WORLD TEACHERS' DAY* *2023*

October 5th every year is celebrated as world Teachers' Day. The theme for this year is "The teachers we need for the education we want: The global imperative to reverse the teacher shortage". The theme is apt because it will serve as another veritable platform to advocate for a dignified and valued teaching profession, analyse Teachers'challenges, and showcase inspiring practices to attract, retain and motivate Teachers and educators. It will also examine the ways in which education systems, societies, communities, and families recognise, appreciate, and actively support teachers.

Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, former President of Turkey says, a "good teacher is like a candle, it consumes itself to light the way for others". There is no contention about the positive contributions of Teachers. We turn out Teachers( Teachers reproduce Teachers),Historians, Lawyers , Engineers, Architects , Writers, Astronauts, Medical personnels , Accountants, Entrepreneurs and many others too numerous to mention. It means without teachers, the world would not have great leaders and heroes who make our planet a better place for all.

In a country like Nigeria, Teaching profession is regarded as the least profession. 99 percent of parents including Teachers themselves wouldn't pray for any of their children to step into their shoes or profession. No wonder we have mostly ACCIDENTAL TEACHERS at all levels. People easily fall back to the profession only as last resort after all hopes of securing good and better paying jobs.

Statistics has shown that over 90 per cent of teachers do not have job satisfaction and are psychologically discouraged due to low take home pay, deprived welfare packages and disregards for their salient contributions to moulding destinies and nation building. The postulation that – ‘Teachers rewards are in heaven,’ a common submission in Nigerian Societies that gives credence to the fact that teachers are regarded as personal non grata. Teachers at all levels should enjoy the labour of their hands while alive and not in their post-mortal state. Education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.

In the past, teachers in Nigeria had made great waves as at 50s, 60s, 70s, and even early 80s when they were held in high esteem . Even then, each ethnic tribe in Nigeria used to psych up teachers with different appellations, as they perceive their developmental roles in the society. For example, Yorubas call a teacher ‘Olukoni’ meaning the builder of intellects; the Igbos call a teacher – ‘Oyenkuzi’, meaning a person that educates while the Hausas refer to a teacher as – ‘Malami’, someone that revealsl knowledge. A teacher is a person who impacts on someone or instructs someone on how to go about something. It means from time immemorial, teachers had been first among equals across several tribes in developing countries before the collapse of societal cherished values for teachers.

Nation building in Africa will remain intricate as the Teachers, the stabilizers of the society are suffering from psycho- economic challenges. For example, the three societal stages, namely; the home front, school environment and the society are left mainly for Teachers to handle and manage. Apart from the school environment the teachers are employed to work, they still serve as nursing mothers and social counsellors for students. As a matter of fact, the home front for training up a child has collapsed, 75 per cent of parents no longer have time to nurture their children due to twenty first Century industrial- rush off syndrome. In a recent training organized for SAC staff, the resource person identified what he calls " aeroplane parents" and this is inimical to the overall growth of the child.

Invariably, majority of children are seriously affected by this ‘‘social playlet’’ leaving the society with slimly baked children to manage. The consequences are evident in the high spate of cyber crimes, banditry, armed robbery, prostitution, kidnapping among other criminalities being perpetrated by ill- trained children who are now torn in the flesh of peaceful co-existence in Nigeria. The growing insecurity will continue unabated until parents and governments at all levels respect the teachers and the teaching profession in accordance with global standard. No wonder the great Greek Philosopher, Plato said, "no society develops beyond the capacity of its teachers".

As we celebrate Nigeria independence at 63, We appreciate the efforts of the SAC College management towards improving the general welfare of staff especially in remuneration and alowances.

Like Oliver Twist, we humbly and respectfully request that parents and the larger society should accord Teachers the respect they deserve in view of the positive roles they play in the society; The government through it's relevant regulatory agencies should review the National Policy on Education and make it more practicable in line with contemporary global standards as well as enhance the academic environment for greater productivity not just for government schools alone; The PTA of SAC should sponsor staff to embark on exchange programs or trainings. Male staff whose wives just put to bed should be granted at least one week official PATERNITY LEAVE just as their female counterparts enjoy 3 months maternal leave.

*Chijioke Ndukwe is* a History Teacher and he wrote from Humanities Department, St. Augustine's College, New Karu, Abuja.