Redefining their roles
Teachers at the heart of education recovery
TODAY, we celebrate World Teachers Day (WTD). WTD marks an important time to show appreciation and thank teachers for all that they do each and every day.
About two years into the COVID-19 crisis, this year's WTD will focus on the support our teachers need to fully contribute to the recovery process.
Education International, UNESCO and ILO agreed on the thought-provoking and apt theme, “teachers at the heart of Education recovery”.
According to UNESCO, teachers are one of the most influential and powerful forces for equity, access and quality in education and key to sustainable global development.
History
The UNESCO report states that World Teachers Day is a global observance. It has been celebrated since 1994. WTD is held annually on October 5 to appreciate the work of teachers around the globe.
It commemorates the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO recommendation concerning the status of teachers. It sets the benchmark regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers, and standards for their initial preparation and further education, recruitment, employment, and teaching and learning conditions.
Hence, each year on WTD, we reflect on the progress teachers have made, the challenges they face, and take time to show appreciation for educators in your life.
The role of UNESCO
I went through UNESCO's web page, and according to UNESCO, it has made the supply of well-trained, supported and qualified teachers one of its top priorities.
This focus has been reinforced by Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education through the Education 2030 Framework for Action, which has a target calling for a substantial increase in qualified teachers through the betterment of their training, recruitment, retention, status, working conditions and motivation.
UNESCO's work regarding the development of teachers mainly focuses on: monitoring of international instruments regarding the teaching profession; supporting members in the development and review of teacher policies and strategies; developing capacities for enhancing the quality of teaching and learning; improving the knowledge and evidence base for the implementation and monitoring of the teacher target in Education 2030; undertaking advocacy and knowledge sharing for the promotion of quality teaching and learning.
Roles that teachers play
A teacher is not only an educator, but a counselor, mentor, role model, and an external parent to a student. Once a child is admitted to school, the role of a teacher to shape the life of the child begins.
A good teacher helps children become good human beings and citizens. Whatever a child learns is from their parents and after them from their teachers as they take birth with no knowledge.
Hence, teachers provide them with education and knowledge.
Teachers are an encouraging factor, confident booster and moral supporter for students. From schools, colleges, to universities, students need teachers to guide and shape their future.
Teachers play an essential role in the lives of their students even after school in the practical world.
Sharing knowledge, giving education, and teaching about life is the primary responsibility of a teacher. In general, teachers mean to teach students the specific syllabus and impart knowledge about the specific curriculum.
Their duty is to make sure that students understand what is being taught to them in the classroom or online teaching or in e-learning setup.
A good teacher, while teaching, connects various subjects to real-life situations and tries to make topics understandable to them. With encouragement, a teacher helps students cross barriers.
The role of a teacher surpassed the conventional thinking that a teacher only educates students. They following a specific curriculum and had to learn about teaching the curriculum.
But in modern scenarios, the teacher's role is not limited. Today, they keep educating students, mentoring students, and giving them practical knowledge.
Hence, teachers play an essential role in education, most especially in the lives of the students they teach in the classroom. What defines teachers is their ability to teach and have a positive influence.
Ann Lieberman's quote, "great teachers empathise with kids, respect them, and believe that each one has something special that can be built upon" comes to mind as I pen this article.
Societies which have empowered and valued teachers have progressed and made strides. Teachers are the pillar of strength and have produced and mentored doctors, nurses, ministers, ambassadors, accountants, politicians and dentists.
Our teachers hold students accountable for their successes and shape opinions and help form ideas about society, life and personal goals. They expand students' limits and push their creativity.
Teaching is a tough job, but it is one where you can make the most impact in another person's life. Hence, the role that teachers play can't be undermined.
Sacrifices made by teachers
Many sacrifices are made by teachers. They sacrifice their weekends looking after their school's sports teams. When teams go camping, teachers ccompany them leaving their loved ones at home.
Many sacrifice the comfort of their homes to be with their students, even sleeping on a mattress on the floor.
Such sacrifices build the bond between teachers and their students. COVID-19 significantly added to the challenges faced by an already over-extended education systems throughout the world.
The world is at a crossroad and, now more than ever, we must work with teachers to protect the right to education and guide it into the unfolding landscape brought about by the pandemic.
As I sit back and reflect the challenges teachers face to fulfill the thirst for education, I feel proud that with limited resources and technology they have done so well.
Today's teachers have made endless sacrifices during the pandemic. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, they volunteered to be frontliners.
Inspirational teacher-related stories
I allude to two inspirational stories which were published in The Fiji Times at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. One piece was done by Ana Madigibuli on September 7 based on Ratu Sukuna Memorial School teacher Emele Tabucala. Her story was shared in The Fiji Times People column and in the Kaila newspaper in early September.
According to Ana, Mrs Tabucala delivered worksheets for students who live beyond the border and to Kadavu Island. To her, teaching was a passion and not just about teaching subject contents.
The story reported that with limitation on travels, Mrs Tabucala reached out to her students living in urban and rural settings. She shared that as a form teacher, she had a responsibility to work extra hard to get her students educated even if it meant taking worksheets to them during such circumstances.
The other story was shared by Repeka Nasiko on September 11. It focused on St Theresa College teacher Rajneel Rohitesh who tracked through the highlands of Navosa, distributing worksheets to his students living in villages throughout the mountainous community. According to Mr Rajneel, delivering the weekly assignments was satisfaction at another level.
The high school teacher's documentary experience caused a wave of social media praise from well-wishers. Apart from Mrs Rabucala and Mr Rajneel, other teachers were involved in the verification process of child vaccination, entering data and assisting parents during the vaccination process.
Teachers conducted zoom classes and shared information via moodle. They prepared worksheets, tutorials and summarised notes. Others were involved in humanitarian and charity work, assisting affected families.
Ways to assist our teachers
There's a lot of pressure on teachers to make up for COVID-19 learning loss as the long term effects on students could be challenging.
Some strategies that could help include: building relationships with kids, their families, and caretakers; providing equitable tools for learning; and preparing teachers with support and ongoing professional development.
In order to support recovery mode, it's imperative that students' social and emotional needs are met as they can't learn when they don't have their basic needs met.
Students faced food insecurity, loss of family income, fear and anxiety. Counseling will become an important tool. It is also helpful to help teachers identify their skills gaps, and help them reteach content.
Teachers must be provided assistance in using technology that is new to them, as our students are learning online. Schools must be upgraded to meet the 21st century learning needs.
Conclusion
As we look to the future, we must focus on building a more resilient and adaptable education system. By ensuring that our teachers' needs are met, we can create a stronger education system for generations to come.
It's important to take time and thank our teachers for all that they do for us. By celebrating and supporting teachers, we can ensure that our children get the best care possible.
As we celebrate WTD, we must look to the future and prepare our teachers for the 21stcentury challenges of teaching in diversity and diversity in teaching. A lot more emphasis must be placed on attracting brightminded teachers to the profession.
I wish our teachers a happy and blessed Teachers Day!