₦airaland Forum

INDISPENSABLE NATION BUILDERS

Many developing/underdeveloped countries don’t know the significance of who they are, what they do and also their major effort in nation building. The celebration of this great role model in this era of technology is too low to be appreciated because I see them as the builder and finisher of our world. I am yet to get a convincing answer to these questions; "Can we do without them in this world? What are their roles? Are they so important to the extent of being the world builder?
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WHO ARE THEY?
They are role models who inspire and encourage students to strive for greatness, live to their fullest potential and see the best in the students. They are leaders who are always dynamic and believe in change, they have the capacity to prepare future leaders and develop them with their skills needed for the teaming population to succeed in the future.
. Oyenola G. E(2015), teachers are great scholars whose responsibilities are to impact knowledge, skills and more understanding to develop one's intellectual, mental, emotional and physical ability in order to attain success. They are role models who inspire and encourage learner to strive for greatness to live their fullest potential and see the best of them. They are the people you learn from them, through their commitment of excellence and through their ability to make you realize your own personal growth. (www.teach.com). these role models can be anybody; a parent, a sibling, a friend but some of our most influential and life-changing role models are TEACHERS. Some call them teachers or lecturers or scholars’ better still tutor but the general acceptable term is Teacher. . .
WHAT DO THEY DO?
Teachers are role model, future builder whose role is more than standing in front of students and lecturing as it is in most secondary and tertiary institutions in most developing and underdeveloped countries. The greatest role of a teacher is to be an architect of our future generation which then demands that only the best and the most intelligent and competent members are allowed to qualify for this noble profession. It is unfortunate to find that generally the worst and the most incapable people of the society find their way into this profession. Any one, who fails to find an opening in other walk of life, gets into this profession and recklessly plays with the destiny of the nation. When we speak of good teachers, it means that a teacher must be a model of faith and piety and should have a fairly good knowledge. Broadly speaking, the function of teachers is to help students learn by imparting knowledge to them and by setting up a situation in which students can and will learn effectively. But teachers fill complex roles, which vary from one society to another and from one educational level to another. Some of their roles include; mediation of learning, disciplinarian, parent substitute, confident to students, judge of achievement, scholar and research specialist, public servant, surrogate of middle-class morality, expert in some area of knowledge or skills, agent of social change.(Britanniaca.com). With these complex roles of a professional and competent teacher, is there any more value of teachers to the nation building? .

ARE THEY SO IMPORTANT TO THE EXTENT OF BEING A NATION BUILDER? . The Education Commission (1964-1966) has emphatically opined that “the quality and competence and character of teachers to be the most significant factor influencing the quality of education and its education to National development". A nation is built by citizens, citizens are molded by teachers and teachers are made by teacher-educators. Chanaka(2012), has rightly stated, "Teacher is the maker of nation" so the development of the country, it is hinged on good teachers and this can be done if good system of teachers’ education is in place. Flourishing national development and a society truly prosperous with knowledge all begins from its teachers. While the role of knowledge and skilled society with visions and aspirations in the success of a nation cannot be stressed enough, it should also be remembered that knowledge can’t be acquired if not sought through the help of a teacher. "Knowledge acquired/received without teachers guidance can be compared to a blind man walking without his stick"(saharan et al, 2009). .
The teacher is a representative of the society who inculcates moral precepts in the development of a country. Great attention has to be paid to education and learning, as well as good morals and nobody is more suitable to assist in this process than the humble teacher. Moreover, a corrupt and decadent class of teachers can harm a nation more seriously than a class of corrupt and perverted judiciary, army, police, bureaucracy, politicians or technocrats. (Surender et al, 2009). .
A nation’s development is a great deal of a teacher therefore, the growth of a country is in the hand of competent and dedicated teacher because they serve as catalyst as nation builder. It's so revealing to know what teachers stand to do to a nation but most third world countries still find it difficult to value or appreciate their teachers, why? Can this world do without them (teachers)?
A WORLD WITHOUT TEACHERS.
I am not trying to be rude or conclusive but with the little research I did, I found out that life will be so hard to live without teachers but Professor Sugata Milta said, it is quite fashionable to say that the education system has broken-it’s not broken, it’s wonderfully constructed. It’s just that we don’t need it anymore. It’s outdated (Hole in wall).
Makinde-Odusola O. (Teacher) believes without teacher, no nation can be liberated, no nation can grow and the world will be so miserable. Sugata Milta a professor of Educational technology believes the world will exist without teachers. He believes teachers are middlemen that can be eliminated in the process of learning. He profound method to actualize his motion which he tagged “hole in the wall" where computer is used for teaching just to eliminate the teacher. After the reading of this theory postulated by this great professor, I asked a question within myself, who will instruct learners when it comes the usage of a computer system or the learners are familiar with the operation of a computer from heaven, then I conclude, this world can't do without a teacher no matter how the technology introduced to eliminate teachers. Having agreed that teachers can’t be eliminated in this world, why are they not valued in most developing and underdeveloped countries even was a nation builder?

ARE TEACHERS NOT WORTHY TO BE VALUED IN MOST DEVELOPING AND UNDERDEVELOPED COUNTRIES? .
Anybody that lives to read this article has passed through a teaching process either in a formal or informal way of learning. This is so clear that teachers are the source of greatness of future generation but understanding that, out of all occupation that varies in third world countries, this profession suffers most in terms of recognisation, entitlements, respect and other concrete views compare to other profession, why? Salako O.A (Mass Communicator), teachers are meant to suffer since government fails to admit that teachers are the builder and molder of the nation. Government has taken the teaching profession as a job meant for job seekers, lazy people that need nothing apart for money.
According to UNESCO, World teachers’ day, represents a significant token of the awareness, understanding and appreciation displayed for the vital contribution that teachers make to education and development. It’s like some developing countries have another interpretation for teachers’ day. For example, In Nigeria, the federal government announced series of incentives that are expected to boost the moral and productivity of teachers proposed to kick start on Monday October 5th, 2015( daily times, September 30,2015) then I ask, why the promise now? Are teachers not relevant before that time?
Bankole .A (teacher), teachers are not appreciated either by the parents or government. "For parents, as a housemaster, I have parents that do really appreciate teachers most especially me the housemaster”. The funniest part is that, those that appreciate teachers’ efforts are not so wealthy. Those elites are indifferent. On the part of government, it is believed that teacher do not contribute to the economy of the nation rather, they take huge amount of money for their monthly salaries. With this fact, government sees them as unprofitable compared to those working in oil and gas. Therefore, if government free education is scrapped will there be any great improvements? .
With the above view, should I admit that free education has caused harm to teachers? Germany, Finland, etch don’t pay tuition through stages of education still teachers are valued and teaching job is made lucrative to be a profession not just a job. Lawal Ismail (Businessman), "governments don't value teachers because it’s their belief that teachers reward is in heaven". Must a teacher die before he enjoys or be respected or recognized? How can a country's educational system be effective when teachers can't stop going on strike based on their entitlements? I have never heard house of assembly embarked on strike because of sitting allowances not paid by the government but why teachers? Teachers build the nation and their value can’t be taken for granted even though this profession is not lucrative as oil and gas job, but who are engineers, geologists, accountants, miners, drivers without teachers?
Balogun-Aileru I.K( Medical Practitioner,UK), teachers can only do their best in terms of formal education but test can be achieved if it is combined with commitment, hand work, reasonable environment, reasonable, funding, prayer, etc, from the learner, parents and society. Inheriting intelligent genes has been researched as being a factor in education outcome. All in all, teachers should be greatly valued as they help in laying effective foundation for our society.The essence of the teacher as a teacher in nations' building cannot be over-emphasized. Good teachers need to be themselves, constantly seeking knowledge, be of good character, high motivation and be creative, innovative and effective in teaching pedagogy. We will grow to become knowledgeable people who will be of use to the society, religion and our nation (priyanka et al, 2009).
For this is to be ascertain, teachers should be valued on earth as in esteem able jewel.
JC OYENOLA GBENGA EMMANUEL.
HAPPY TEACHERS’ DAY