₦airaland Forum

IyaTola:
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A TEACHER IN THE UK?

Being a teacher in the UK is a horrible experience — it is a taste of hell.
I was a teacher in Zimbabwe for over 10 years.

I loved my work; I remember assemblies where children would greet us in chorus.
I was proud to be a teacher.

Our students would salute and greet us on the streets, showing us respect.
A misbehaving pupil would hide, show remorse on being found out.

The day I left for the UK, I was excited and convinced that I would make an impact as a teacher in the land of the Queen.

According to Mhofu from Luton, teaching in the UK is no walk in the park.
Mhofu: “You know, if it wasn’t for teaching, I probably wouldn’t have travelled as much as I did. It was the teaching that got me around the world. But here in the UK, I got a rude awakening.

I got a teaching job at a school in Luton which was touted to be one of the best schools. I was grateful and overjoyed. On my first day in class the children looked at me as if they were seeing a ghost. One child raised his hand and said to me: ‘Are you an idiot’.
I was shocked; I was a teacher.

I looked at the child and wanted to hit him but I had been warned never to touch a child or I would die in prison. I pretended I had not heard the child then I heard another say: ‘Hey, are you deaf?’ I was so angry and I walked out to make a complaint to the teacher-in -charge. As I stepped out, the classroom broke into uncontrollable laughter. I had never been insulted by a child and let alone a white one. I was so angry l started shaking.

I walked into the teacher-in-charge’s office. He looked at me and said go and control your class first. I walked back in the class and everything that followed made me sick to my gut. I just had to leave the classroom as l did not trust myself not to take my typical ‘teacher action’ against these wayward children. I went home.

I got a call from the school which informed me that I had been fired because I had no confidence and skills of dealing with children.
I then got another job as a teacher. This time, I was called a ‘supply teacher’ who is equivalent to a temporary teacher. The only difference is a supply teacher is a qualified teacher.

I arrived at the school, this time determined to bring some order. As I walked into the classroom, I saw, on the green board, an offensive statement. It was a question: ‘What’s the difference between a monkey and a blackman?’

Just below it was an answer: ‘At least a monkey can climb trees.’ When I asked who wrote that in a very angry voice, the class remained silent.

I turned to the board to rub the offending statement. When I was done and turned to the class, I saw my bag fly out of the window.
I got angry and shouted at the class. The head-teacher and a few other teachers rushed to the class. The pupils all rushed to one corner and on seeing the headmaster, they started screaming.

The headmaster, in front of the children told me I was intimidating the kids and making the learning environment a war zone. I told him they had thrown my bag out of the window and had written racist remarks on the board.

The head-teacher said he could see nothing on the board and the kids shouted that they had thrown it out after I had tried to hit them with it. I was asked to go home and reflect on my teaching skills.

The classroom is controlled by children; you must do what they want and you must not dictate to them. The head takes the word of the child against yours. Now I am working towards extracting myself from a career I was passionate about and I ask myself why?

Those who are thinking of teaching here must brace themselves for a torrid time.” According to Paul Taruvinga: I had my interview with a teaching agency in the UK before I finished University.

I was accepted and so when I arrived in London in 2003 on my UK working holiday visa, I was ready to start my teaching career in Hackney, East London, an area I was soon to discover to be one of London’s most challenging.

I wasn’t quite ready to settle into a full time job so I went straight for the supply (casual, substitute) teaching. This meant I was running all over the East End, going to different schools every day. It was a great way for me to get to know the city.

It was also a fantastic way for me to learn how to be an adaptable teacher – different students, different classes every day.

One day I was called to the headmaster’s office; I was informed that a child had complained that I speak so loud that the child is now having sleepless nights. I was asked to lower my voice or I would be sued if the child went deaf.

I am not a loud speaker; I was shocked. I could not answer. Then one day I was accused of sexual abuse. I was alleged to have touched a girl-child on the shoulder. I was told any form of touching was abuse. I was suspended.

After three months of no pay, I was reinstated. I now hate teaching with a passion.”

John Dickson: “l was reprimanded for calling a child ‘my son’. When I came to school the following day there was a fuming parent who said to me: ‘Hey, my son has a father at this school now!’

I said I didn’t know about that and then she accused me of calling him ‘my son’ the previous day in class. I went numb.

She went to the head and I was seriously admonished.” The culture here is so strange. There is nothing like stopping students from throwing chairs at each other. The schools here are a complete opposite of the schools back home. Teaching is a nightmare here.
It is the most stressful job in the UK.

Copied!

You went from an autocracy to a democracy and to you this is hell?

Africans are indeed emotionally unintelligent and poor organisers of workable societies. If they are not allowed to rule in feudal set ups they misfire. Is this the famed legacy of colonialism or what?

Jokerman:
Lol...

Is this to scare the potential teaching applicants?

I don't think it is written to scare the potential applicants; rather I think it is to help them prepare their minds for cultural shocks which are expected part of cross-cultural experiences.

All these to stop teachers from traveling

The teachers should prepare their minds, it's not like Naija. Be ready to handle children, even spoilt ones without yelling or spanking.


The pro japa crew will soon flood here now and say they don't want people to japa blehbleh bleh. It's better to let them know it's not like Naija, so they can be prepared. To be forewarned is to be foreharmed. Information is power.

Jokerman:
Lol...

Is this to scare the potential teaching applicants?

Why look at it that way?

Someone is giving you information so that you know what you're getting into. If you are happy to proceed, that's on you. If you are scared, that's on you.

But you should know that there is a reason why the UK is short of homegrown teachers.

prepresh:
Please I need the connection to teach in the UK I believe I can do it

Laughing � person write all this and you believe you can do it. Okay oh na kP or KC go end am las las

At least they will pay more than 9500 naira.

90FullyBack:
Like a clown?

yes. Not only in UK ma. Even here in Nigeria private schools, u dare not touch the students. During our own time, we fear our teachers, but now, students don't fear teachers again. They spoiled them finished just because they want their parents money. No discipline again. Many of them pass in d class not because they know book, but money buys them d result.

iHateFraudsters:
Discouragement?

The same OP just told you that the opportunity will be open to Nigerians in February.

The same OP just told you that you should prepare for ielts, get ready money for tb test and police report.

How is that discouraging?

Someone is trying to prepare you guys for a different type of life and you're here yarning dust.

Typical Nigerian mentality.

Calm down bro. I don't mean that in the negative way, it's just a fact, certainly that writeup will discourage alot. So where is the lie?
PS- people wey go still Japa go still japa

Na to just use better knock reset dia head... What kinda rubbish is that...


Are there no CCTV cameras in d class rooms?

Jokerman:
Lol...

Is this to scare the potential teaching applicants?

Nope but to prepare your mind of the challenges you are going to face in the classroom

Okay

First of all what do you think a black man can impact in the life of these idiots educationally? Make dem teach themselves cos a black man will always be at fault no matter how the students treat you.. No be their fault tho

It means u teach in the United Kingdom.
That means ur a royal teacher

advanceDNA:
Those children are even worse than the scenario up there

Bros they will not understand not until they see themselves

When you get to a place where authority is not by physical intimidation.

Someone goes abroad and says the culture is so strange.

Better stay in your place where the culture is normal and everyone is a bully

Nonsense.

Bush primitive man. I definitely want my kids being educated in the UK. What a system. This story is an indictment on the African education system.

The example shared is just like a normal happenings... there are worse things that happened. However learn more about reversed psychology. Read more on how to get white kids attention. Also note that their parents are the main instigator, they speak horrible things about blacks to their children in their homes. Nevertheless many white parents are as Dumb as zombies. They just want to feel superior when they see blacks. Like I said reversed psychology is their weakness. They are not so smart.

Is teaching in Nigeria any better?
Nigerian public schools are now a rearing ground for criminals, cultists and prostitutes.
It is no longer like the pre-90s where discipline was sacrosanct. Now it is way worse.
If teaching in the uK will give you a better life, please embrace it. Way better than doing caregiving in the UK, where you have to clean white people's shyt.

If they want cruise we will cruise away their time after which I get paid in pounds sterling. If you ask if I’m an idiot I will answer it’s you father that’s an idiot.

jchioma:
Chai!

These oyinbo children are something else. No fear, not to talk of respect. I'm still contemplating whether I should allow my children attend school abroad.

That part got me Africans made the Whiteman place there own heaven on earth.

This is just the beginning sha..

advanceDNA:
Relax....the portal will open to nigerians by february...

go and start preparing for your ielts, get ready money for tb test and police report....jappaa no easy oooo... and its not all course.... its more of ...maths, biology, physics, chemistry

What of the arts?

It’s only a matter of time , you will adapt.

Why not go to the board like some Nigerian lecturers and write and explain even if the children don't understand, and when your period is over, leave?

The children will still come around

SocialJustice:
What of the arts?

Maybe they will include arts later....

Seeing these comments is not a surprise!...An African can do anything to take shit! in a foreign land but cannot do anything to make his/her own work.beautiful culture back home they despised and ready to be the white man slave!

This is the same mindset I have when I read the story.

prepresh:
Please I need the connection to teach in the UK I believe I can do it

advanceDNA:
Those children are even worse than the scenario up there

Leave am. Him no dey watch films

IyaTola:
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A TEACHER IN THE UK?

Being a teacher in the UK is a horrible experience — it is a taste of hell.
I was a teacher in Zimbabwe for over 10 years.

I loved my work; I remember assemblies where children would greet us in chorus.
I was proud to be a teacher.

Our students would salute and greet us on the streets, showing us respect.
A misbehaving pupil would hide, show remorse on being found out.

The day I left for the UK, I was excited and convinced that I would make an impact as a teacher in the land of the Queen.

According to Mhofu from Luton, teaching in the UK is no walk in the park.
Mhofu: “You know, if it wasn’t for teaching, I probably wouldn’t have travelled as much as I did. It was the teaching that got me around the world. But here in the UK, I got a rude awakening.

I got a teaching job at a school in Luton which was touted to be one of the best schools. I was grateful and overjoyed. On my first day in class the children looked at me as if they were seeing a ghost. One child raised his hand and said to me: ‘Are you an idiot’.
I was shocked; I was a teacher.

I looked at the child and wanted to hit him but I had been warned never to touch a child or I would die in prison. I pretended I had not heard the child then I heard another say: ‘Hey, are you deaf?’ I was so angry and I walked out to make a complaint to the teacher-in -charge. As I stepped out, the classroom broke into uncontrollable laughter. I had never been insulted by a child and let alone a white one. I was so angry l started shaking.

I walked into the teacher-in-charge’s office. He looked at me and said go and control your class first. I walked back in the class and everything that followed made me sick to my gut. I just had to leave the classroom as l did not trust myself not to take my typical ‘teacher action’ against these wayward children. I went home.

I got a call from the school which informed me that I had been fired because I had no confidence and skills of dealing with children.
I then got another job as a teacher. This time, I was called a ‘supply teacher’ who is equivalent to a temporary teacher. The only difference is a supply teacher is a qualified teacher.

I arrived at the school, this time determined to bring some order. As I walked into the classroom, I saw, on the green board, an offensive statement. It was a question: ‘What’s the difference between a monkey and a blackman?’

Just below it was an answer: ‘At least a monkey can climb trees.’ When I asked who wrote that in a very angry voice, the class remained silent.

I turned to the board to rub the offending statement. When I was done and turned to the class, I saw my bag fly out of the window.
I got angry and shouted at the class. The head-teacher and a few other teachers rushed to the class. The pupils all rushed to one corner and on seeing the headmaster, they started screaming.

The headmaster, in front of the children told me I was intimidating the kids and making the learning environment a war zone. I told him they had thrown my bag out of the window and had written racist remarks on the board.

The head-teacher said he could see nothing on the board and the kids shouted that they had thrown it out after I had tried to hit them with it. I was asked to go home and reflect on my teaching skills.

The classroom is controlled by children; you must do what they want and you must not dictate to them. The head takes the word of the child against yours. Now I am working towards extracting myself from a career I was passionate about and I ask myself why?

Those who are thinking of teaching here must brace themselves for a torrid time.” According to Paul Taruvinga: I had my interview with a teaching agency in the UK before I finished University.

I was accepted and so when I arrived in London in 2003 on my UK working holiday visa, I was ready to start my teaching career in Hackney, East London, an area I was soon to discover to be one of London’s most challenging.

I wasn’t quite ready to settle into a full time job so I went straight for the supply (casual, substitute) teaching. This meant I was running all over the East End, going to different schools every day. It was a great way for me to get to know the city.

It was also a fantastic way for me to learn how to be an adaptable teacher – different students, different classes every day.

One day I was called to the headmaster’s office; I was informed that a child had complained that I speak so loud that the child is now having sleepless nights. I was asked to lower my voice or I would be sued if the child went deaf.

I am not a loud speaker; I was shocked. I could not answer. Then one day I was accused of sexual abuse. I was alleged to have touched a girl-child on the shoulder. I was told any form of touching was abuse. I was suspended.

After three months of no pay, I was reinstated. I now hate teaching with a passion.”

John Dickson: “l was reprimanded for calling a child ‘my son’. When I came to school the following day there was a fuming parent who said to me: ‘Hey, my son has a father at this school now!’

I said I didn’t know about that and then she accused me of calling him ‘my son’ the previous day in class. I went numb.

She went to the head and I was seriously admonished.” The culture here is so strange. There is nothing like stopping students from throwing chairs at each other. The schools here are a complete opposite of the schools back home. Teaching is a nightmare here.
It is the most stressful job in the UK.

Copied!

This write up is very correct. Nigerian teachers who are dusting their passports for February migration to UK must read this and assure themselves they are ready for the battle. The UK teachers themselves have lost it and retiring from the profession. Based on my experience, if you are still bent on moving to UK, i will suggest you look for work in year 1-6 groups (primary schools) or private schools. Those are slightly better groups.

Jokerman:
Lol...

Is this to scare the potential teaching applicants?

You would do well to listen, in case you plan to go to the UK as a teacher. There is a complete breakdown of the family system in the UK and a high rate of social vices, especially in economically deprived areas. Luton is not a good area and the East End of London is not that much better. There is a high rate of hooliganism and knife violence. Perpetrators and victims alike usually fall within the same age range: teenagers and young adults. Raising children, especially in these kinds of areas, is a nightmare. You must be extra vigilant. The posher areas are only marginally better. At least the kids are better behaved and you won't get stabbed. But they are spoilt and entitled. And have learned the art of the subtle 'put-down' from their posh parents. Believe it or not, the US and Canada are way better in terms of family structure. There are loads of advantages to relocating, though. You just have to be prepared

IyaTola:
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A TEACHER IN THE UK?

Being a teacher in the UK is a horrible experience — it is a taste of hell.
I was a teacher in Zimbabwe for over 10 years.

I loved my work; I remember assemblies where children would greet us in chorus.
I was proud to be a teacher.

Our students would salute and greet us on the streets, showing us respect.
A misbehaving pupil would hide, show remorse on being found out.

The day I left for the UK, I was excited and convinced that I would make an impact as a teacher in the land of the Queen.

According to Mhofu from Luton, teaching in the UK is no walk in the park.
Mhofu: “You know, if it wasn’t for teaching, I probably wouldn’t have travelled as much as I did. It was the teaching that got me around the world. But here in the UK, I got a rude awakening.

I got a teaching job at a school in Luton which was touted to be one of the best schools. I was grateful and overjoyed. On my first day in class the children looked at me as if they were seeing a ghost. One child raised his hand and said to me: ‘Are you an idiot’.
I was shocked; I was a teacher.

I looked at the child and wanted to hit him but I had been warned never to touch a child or I would die in prison. I pretended I had not heard the child then I heard another say: ‘Hey, are you deaf?’ I was so angry and I walked out to make a complaint to the teacher-in -charge. As I stepped out, the classroom broke into uncontrollable laughter. I had never been insulted by a child and let alone a white one. I was so angry l started shaking.

I walked into the teacher-in-charge’s office. He looked at me and said go and control your class first. I walked back in the class and everything that followed made me sick to my gut. I just had to leave the classroom as l did not trust myself not to take my typical ‘teacher action’ against these wayward children. I went home.

I got a call from the school which informed me that I had been fired because I had no confidence and skills of dealing with children.
I then got another job as a teacher. This time, I was called a ‘supply teacher’ who is equivalent to a temporary teacher. The only difference is a supply teacher is a qualified teacher.

I arrived at the school, this time determined to bring some order. As I walked into the classroom, I saw, on the green board, an offensive statement. It was a question: ‘What’s the difference between a monkey and a blackman?’

Just below it was an answer: ‘At least a monkey can climb trees.’ When I asked who wrote that in a very angry voice, the class remained silent.

I turned to the board to rub the offending statement. When I was done and turned to the class, I saw my bag fly out of the window.
I got angry and shouted at the class. The head-teacher and a few other teachers rushed to the class. The pupils all rushed to one corner and on seeing the headmaster, they started screaming.

The headmaster, in front of the children told me I was intimidating the kids and making the learning environment a war zone. I told him they had thrown my bag out of the window and had written racist remarks on the board.

The head-teacher said he could see nothing on the board and the kids shouted that they had thrown it out after I had tried to hit them with it. I was asked to go home and reflect on my teaching skills.

The classroom is controlled by children; you must do what they want and you must not dictate to them. The head takes the word of the child against yours. Now I am working towards extracting myself from a career I was passionate about and I ask myself why?

Those who are thinking of teaching here must brace themselves for a torrid time.” According to Paul Taruvinga: I had my interview with a teaching agency in the UK before I finished University.

I was accepted and so when I arrived in London in 2003 on my UK working holiday visa, I was ready to start my teaching career in Hackney, East London, an area I was soon to discover to be one of London’s most challenging.

I wasn’t quite ready to settle into a full time job so I went straight for the supply (casual, substitute) teaching. This meant I was running all over the East End, going to different schools every day. It was a great way for me to get to know the city.

It was also a fantastic way for me to learn how to be an adaptable teacher – different students, different classes every day.

One day I was called to the headmaster’s office; I was informed that a child had complained that I speak so loud that the child is now having sleepless nights. I was asked to lower my voice or I would be sued if the child went deaf.

I am not a loud speaker; I was shocked. I could not answer. Then one day I was accused of sexual abuse. I was alleged to have touched a girl-child on the shoulder. I was told any form of touching was abuse. I was suspended.

After three months of no pay, I was reinstated. I now hate teaching with a passion.”

John Dickson: “l was reprimanded for calling a child ‘my son’. When I came to school the following day there was a fuming parent who said to me: ‘Hey, my son has a father at this school now!’

I said I didn’t know about that and then she accused me of calling him ‘my son’ the previous day in class. I went numb.

She went to the head and I was seriously admonished.” The culture here is so strange. There is nothing like stopping students from throwing chairs at each other. The schools here are a complete opposite of the schools back home. Teaching is a nightmare here.
It is the most stressful job in the UK.

Copied!

Now, get back to work! Indeed true that those teachers need to hone their teaching skills and be adaptable to the environment. The alternative is to move on.