It IS an official celebration
Contrary to popular belief surrounding the school holiday on October 5, that teachers are on the lookout for YET another holiday, World Teachers’ Day has been officially proclaimed by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, Cultural Organisation). That was on October 5 1994, following an intergovernmental conference formerly held in Paris on October 5 1966, where UNESCO adopted a recommendation made jointly by UNESCO and ILO (International Labour Organisation), pertaining to the status of teachers.
The Veiled Hypocrisy
Now in 2022, needless to say that the status of teachers has evolved only minimally; poor wages, inadequate funding, trivialisation of the profession by major stakeholders, growing indiscipline of learners, lack of consideration by the governing authorities are only some of the multiple issues plaguing teaching for many years. Suffice to say that teachers’ collective pleas have amounted to a voice in the wilderness, where only they can feel their empty calls echoing back and forth in a vacuum.
This day will unsurprisingly be marked by fancy speeches by our governors nationwide, which will be relayed by the media. However, bombing the media for a whole day about the significance of teaching is nothing short of being a hypocritical move. Yes, teachers constitute that vital link in the chain of transmission but then? What happens barely a day after? What is being done tangibly to boost the morale, to empower teachers in their profession, to protect them in their line of duty? The speeches by our governors might create a mini hype for the day but the veiled hypocrisy behind their words should not be ignored. It is not a one-day celebration where we pretend everything is rosy and well. What should instead be considered is that the profession is becoming increasingly challenging and these concerns should be tackled within a carefully crafted framework, with the input of teachers themselves, instead of office bound officers who know nothing of the reality of the profession.
2022 Theme: ‘The
transformation of education begins with teachers’
This year’s theme follows in the aftermath of the height of the COVID-19 pandemic with school closures worldwide. After endless contingency plans to ensure the continuity of education so that learners did not lose out, there has been a downside for teachers. Stress, burnout, being underpaid account for the reasons why many teachers in the United States have quit in droves recently. Without teachers, there is no instruction. And without the latter, nothing else happens.
This is why this year’s theme is so relevant. Putting teachers back into the centrefold of the educational system should be a priority for the administrators. The teacher is the one ensuring that instruction and transmission goes on. That is the link between the home and the professional sphere. Empowering the teacher entails empowering the transmission flow. Teachers do not merely teach the letters of the alphabet, how to read, write and count. Teaching ‘A’ for ‘apple, ‘B’ for ‘ball’…that is what teachers are generally perceived to do when in fact, instructing the young minds goes way beyond that basic categorisation. If the authorities really wish to incorporate this year’s theme into a conceptual framework which casts a fresh look at the profession, then they should perhaps try going back to basics, by firmly ensuring that the teacher is at the centre of the classroom, by providing the tools, encouragement and guidance required. Opportunities for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) are not readily available to all teachers who need to hone their skills to keep up with the changing trends in the globalised educational sphere. Those who have the means can fund their own CPD opportunities while those who are burdened with financial hurdles are left behind. Incentives are few in the profession and the authorities need to cast a hard, long look into these ongoing matters so that the transformation of teachers can finally take place into the best conditions possible.
Those who can, teach!
While teachers have often been derided as ‘Those who cannot, teach’, it is high time to actively address this negative mindset towards the profession. Alternatively, we should proudly proclaim that ‘Those who can, teach.’ Teaching is a noble profession and should be firmly acknowledged as such. Teachers are the unspoken and underrated guides, counsellors, and symbols of inspiration for thousands of learners worldwide, whatever the background and academic ability of their students. Our learners are our priorities, all the time. Nonetheless, some clueless members of the public who are always ranting about teachers’ so-called holidays need to be educated about their veritable raison d’être. These holidays serve the purpose of following further training or workshops, working as invigilators, supervisors or examiners for the major local and international examinations. Without the teachers and these holidays during which these exercises are conducted, the educational system would literally come to a standstill.
So, let us wish all the wonderful teachers out there a very happy holiday, which is an emblem of our unrecognised and selfless contribution into the lives of millions of children. Despite everything, we remain determined to do our jobs to the best level of our ability and are honoured to say, ‘Those who can, teach!’