We Need Trained Teachers, Not Just Graduates

In the 300 level first semester, I endured an unforgettable encounter. I just got back from holidays looking dapper and feeling myself. The first day back at school was always full of gists and discussions. With my clique we discussed holidays, girls, music, argued about football and lastly, what to expect in the new semester. Of course we also talked about the lecturers and the courses we will be taking for our third year in the university.

While we were busy discussing a variety of topics with raised voices, Professor Lagbaja walked gingerly into the class with a squeezed face and a roughly tucked-in shirt. Immediately, total silence engulfed the noisy atmosphere. Here is Professor Lagbaja in flesh and blood, the highly intelligent, strict professor we've heard a lot about. He will be taking one of the most important courses of the semester, a 4 unit do-or-die course.

As we scampered for decorum, Professor Lagbaja spoke his first few words. "Most of you will fail this course," he said. "In fact, I can assure you that less than five of you will score A. Less than 25 will score B and C." He continued, "Over 60% of you guys will retake this course next semester. And I will be here to remind you!" Immediately after dropping his golden nuggets, he requested for the class rep, gave him a note to photocopy and distribute to the class. And then, he walked majestically out of the class like a proud achiever. "What a nitwit," I murmured.

Teachers, tutors and lecturers are supposed to be role models. Though they get paid to teach, their main role is to mold students into capable citizens who can fend for themselves and elevate the country in the near future. However, the education system in my country has turned teachers and lecturers into boogeymen. They see themselves as lords over the students, and not mentors or counselors. Students are the unfortunate slaves placed in their care to handle and treat whichever way they deem fit.

Sadly, this attitude is not restricted to the lecturers in higher schools of learning alone. Some five months back I was running around with my son when I mistakenly touched his head. Immediately he felt the touch, he let out a sharp and painful cry. That was unusual so I quickly asked him what was wrong. He told me his teacher struck his head with a cane while in school. I was livid with anger. Why would a teacher strike the head of a three year old boy with a cane?

I picked up my phone and was about to call the school's head teacher to report the case and get the teacher dealt with. However, my wife pleaded with me to stop and gave her reasons. If I had reported, the head teacher would've begged me and promised it won't happen again. After that, he'll call the teacher and give her a stern warning. What happens then? The teacher will probably target the little kid and bully him when no one is watching. There is just a little these kids know and understand. And he'll probably have to ignorantly endure a lot worse from the sadistic teacher. That's the reality of our education system.

Sadly, we've replaced discipline with bullying and abuse. Some teachers take pride in being the best at beating the crap out of students. They go to classes with a stockpile of canes all in the name of instilling discipline. The lecturers set up students to fail just to get the students to fear and respect them. And then use that avenue to extort money and sex from the students they wickedly fail. This happens regularly and these wicked bunch have mastered the art of shielding themselves whenever their plans go wrong. In fact, I walked away from a lecturer role because I can't stomach the wickedness being dished out. I've seen them up close and personal. I don't want to be a part of this evil practice.

What's the solution to this rotten system of education? We tackle the grassroots. Firstly, I've never seen a doctor working as a lawyer before. Neither have I seen a lawyer working as an accountant. So, why is a microbiologist working as a teacher? Teaching is a specialist profession just like medicine and law. Why are those with no training whatsoever of the rudiments and conducts of a teacher taking over classes because they have a BSc certificate? Trained teachers should be the ones taking care of wards - especially in the primary and secondary schools - and not just degree holders.

But we have College of Education graduates. Why are they not filling the teaching roles? Because teachers are one of the worst paid in the country. Most primary schools pay their teachers less than twenty five thousand naira (about $20) per month. Secondary schools? You'll have to be working in an exotic secondary school to get paid above sixty thousand naira per month (about $50). Why would I want to stick with a forty thousand naira job when I can be getting a hundred thousand naira with the same certificate? So, a lot of trained teachers escaped into the industrial sector for a better financial package.

In a country where a fresh graduate doctor gets paid ten times the salary of a teacher, the teaching job will only be left to the frustrated ones who couldn't get a better job but to settle for teaching just to make ends meet. These ones will in turn take out their frustration on the innocent wards. And, in consequence, we raise monsters who will later become teachers and lecturers with the mentality that maltreating and abusing students is a show of power and strength.

We can do better. We have to do better!

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