MARATHON LEARNING IN NIGERIA- ITS IMPLICATION

Over the course of many years, I have observed with disappointment, how children are subjected to long hours of learning in the classroom. This is the norm in most private schools in Nigeria. Therefore, I write to register my displeasure and also offer advice on how to reverse this trend.

OVERVIEW OF THE SITUATION

Most children arrive home late each day from school. Sometimes, 5:00pm daily. It will amaze you to know that lessons in school start as early as 8:30am. After the normal closing hour, say by 2:00pm, the students are now subjected to extra lessons which take two hours or more. This is not the best way to impart knowledge on young ones. In fact, the children are been over stretched. 

This method is counter productive. The brain gets saturated after some hours, and from this point onward any other assimilation becomes difficult. That is why with even so much learning, the students still perform poorly. The truth is the children need some rest, or even a nap to relax their brain after learning for some hours. In fact, they need time to do personal studies at home. 

On the contrary, they arrive home late everyday tired and exhausted. The only thing they are able to do at this point is eat, bathe, watch some television programmes and go to bed. The next day, the vicious circle is ignited.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Rigorous or marathon learning does not help the child. Call 07031384722 for a consultation.

TEACHERS’ DAY: A TIME TO LOOK INTO THE SITUATION

Teachers all over the world are doing a wonderful job. They are future builders. Virtually all professionals in the world were, in some way, shaped by teachers. Indeed, we all owe teachers a depth of gratitude. Therefore, celebrating teachers once a year is not enough. It should go beyond this level. In fact, during teachers’ day it is common to make many promises to teachers. But after the frenzy, the government fall back to their old ways, instead of working actively to better the life of teachers.

CONCERNS ABOUT TEACHERS

1.       Accommodation: most teachers do not have a house of their own. Even after retirement some are still not able to have their own shelter. Government, as a matter of urgency, should do something about it.

2.       Their salary is poor: I feel very sad to talk about this. Why should teachers be paid poorly? Is there service less important than that of doctors, lawyers, engineers? Government should wake up and act fast.

3.       Their learning environment is poor: in most private and public schools teachers are made to work in less than conducive environment. This situation affects the overall morale of the teacher and thus affect his performance in the classroom.

4.       Most private schools  treat teachers badly: some are subjected to a slavery-like situation. They work tirelessly everyday only to be given a token as salary. The government should close down schools that cannot measure up to good salary structure for their teachers. 

Drop your comment below or call 07031384722 for a consultation.

5 THINGS SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS MUST NEVER DO TO TEACHERS

Teachers are doing a great job shaping young lives. To do their job effectively, they should not be subjected to the following kind of treatment:

1.       Shouting at the teacher. Teachers do their best to be responsible and project the right image. Hence, they deserve respect from administrators. Shouting at them, for whatever reason, makes them feel bad. They might begin to regret working under you. Worse still, they may start to resent their noble profession. In fact, if a situation like this continues for a time, they look for opportunity to leave the school in search for a better job elsewhere.

2.       Humiliating teachers before parents. This can make the teacher feel unloved and worthless. Also, the parent who witnessed this poor treatment on the teacher will hardly respect the teacher.

3.       Not accepting the teacher’s innovative or creative input. Since teachers are stakeholders, their idea or opinion about the  school should be respected. This way they feel a sense of belonging and feel highly valued.

4.       Scolding your teacher in the presence of  students. Students should have high regards for their teacher. However, doing this becomes difficult if the administrator harshly scolds his teacher before the students. In fact, the teacher will feel humiliated or embarrassed. If scolding is at all necessary, it should be done privately.

5.       Delaying teachers’ salary. This treatment hurts more than the others. Nothing makes them more likely to search for employment elsewhere than paying the teacher in piecemeal or even delaying their salary altogether.

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FIFTEEN IMPORTANT FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TEACHERS

Teachers are doing a wonderful job, hence they deserve commendation and recognition. On the contrary this is not the case. Some of us need to understand what it means to be an effective teacher.

1.       Teachers are passionate people who enjoy making a difference

2.       The major goal of teachers is to shape young lives

3.       Teachers get frustrated with students who have tremendous potential, but do not want to put in the hard work necessary to maximize that potential.

4.       Teachers love students who come to class every day with a good attitude and genuinely want to learn.

5.       Teachers enjoy working together with others.

6.       Teachers respect parents who value education, understand where their child is academically, and support everything the teacher does.

7.       Teachers are not perfect. They have terrible days and good days. They make mistakes

8.       Teachers want a principal and administration that supports what they are doing, provides suggestions for improvement and values their contributions to their school

9.       Teachers are creative and original. Every teacher is different, doing things uniquely

10.   Teachers are continuously evolving. They are always searching for better ways to reach their students.

11.   Teachers get irritated with parents who do not understand that education should be a partnership between themselves and their child’s teachers

12.   Effective teachers tailor their teaching to meet the needs of students

13.   Teachers want to be appreciated for their good work. They love it when students or parents do something unexpected to show their appreciation.

14.   Teachers do not become teachers because of the pay check. They understand that they are going to be underpaid for what they do.

15.   Teachers love it when they run into former students, and they tell you how much they appreciated what you did for them.

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10 THINGS TEACHERS WANT FROM STUDENTS AND PARENTS

The job of teaching is not an easy one, but there are many things that others can do to make their jobs easier. In fact, teachers want a lot of things from their students. They are:

1.       Teachers want students to be willing to learn as they come to class each day. They should be prepared, focused and motivated.

2.       Teachers want students to be respectful. Students should respect their authority, they should respect each other as well. With such atmosphere, teaching and learning becomes easier.

3.       Teachers want students to understand concepts by making real life connections.

4.       Teachers want students to develop critical thinking ability. They should know the process that leads to the answer as well as the answer itself.

5.       Teachers want students to know their strengths and weaknesses so that improvement is made where necessary.

What teachers want from parents

6.       Teachers want parents to understand that they are there to assist their children in the best possible way

7.       Teachers want feedback from parents. In fact, they want an open, trusting relationship with parents so they can figure out the best approach for teaching the student.

8.       Teachers want parents to be actively in their children’s education by ensuring that their children do their homework.

9.       Teachers want parents to stress the importance of education to their children at all times. This way it will be easy for children to learn and appreciate school work.