TEACHING PROFESSION NEEDS TO BE REBRANDED


Without a jaundiced view, it is a yardstick that education is the mother of all disciplines. Apparently, the development of a country, youth and every individual at large vehemently depends on teachers who have the ability to make or mar learners. However, it is pathetic that stigmatization is the reward of a teacher, especially at the secondary and primary level. Hence, this piece is coming at the right time when the truth is needed to be told that the feasibility of education as life cannot be underestimated or retracted in Nigeria and the world at large.

Although, education can be referred to as unfinished business because no man can be perfect in the field of teaching, yet it is a true profession which every being must glorify or endeavour to pay homage to at all time. It is only a blind or a deaf man that will attest that an educator is not a creator, builder and formulator who serves as the spinal cord or wheel chair of a country.

But, reverse is the case in a country and century which has been corroborated to be the growing seed of corruption. For crying out loud, it is a namby-pamby and a clear cut wishy-washy that a local government chairman is chaired and ex gratia with nobility even before a teacher. Frankly, that is just an epitome of foolishness preceding wisdom.

Even the society seems to be made up of millions ungrateful beings who often argue that the *“reward of a teacher is in heaven”* and they are not necessary to be a noble man or woman. Still, they trust their lives and the lives of their children in the hands of a teacher. There goes a popular cliché *“to whom much is given, much is definitely expected”.* If a driver could be seen as a demi-god whenever he drives people from one junction to another. What more can we say to a teacher who drives people from generation to generation for a great number of years? Underrating the ability or effort of a teacher is a criminal act to degrade the teaching profession.

The re-definition of educational structure is essential and mandatory at this 21st century in Nigeria. Teaching profession needs a new dimension of packaging and branding to make it attractive and reputable in the society. Teaching profession needs to sail through the tunnel of shame to the topmost climax of honour as other professions have done. Some people see educational course as the last option while in the real sense it ought to be the first option; hence, teaching profession needs packaging which will make it sellable and attractive even to the unattractive minds.

It is obvious that people take teaching job as a result of unemployment which has sprung up in geometric ratio. Teaching profession has become a stepping stone to other professions with the popular cliché *“half bread is better than no bread”.* Education as a profession has now become a dumping ground for other professions when in the real sense those who have golden passion for teaching were derailed by the negative trait of the profession. We cannot continue to trust the lives of our youth in the hands of semi-baked teachers or forced educationists who have less or no passion for imparting knowledge.

According to the Nigeria National Policy on Education(1991) teacher education should be given a major emphasize in educational planning because no educational system can raise above the quality of it teachers. It is thus the key factor in the entire educational programme for the teacher may make or mar the educational programme. The services of the teacher, more any than another profession, influence the lives of the nation’s youth and future.

It is highly laughable that education sector in Nigeria is underfunded against the 25% budget ordered by United Nation Educational Science and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to be allocated for education. To every genuine government, education should be the topmost priority. But, it is a gargantuan chagrin that teachers wallow in poverty as the classrooms remain unnoticed.

Finally, to fill the vacuum which has been made by the Federal Government and the entire citizens of Nigeria in recent time, teachers’ integrity must be honoured and glorified. Teaching job should be given full autonomy like other professional courses such as medicine, law etc. Their take home or remuneration should be able to take them home or be equivalent to other professions.


Iyiola Oluwatosin. D (Tosdam)