Encourage SA youth to become teachers

SOUTH Africa is currently battling with the shortage of teachers in the country, many schools are still understaffed and thus South Africa’s basic education is not satisfactory at all.

The society of this country is a threat to itself because society is encouraging children not to be teachers. One of the reasons for this is that the teaching profession does not pay very well.

Teachers are the ones who can sustain and build the future of the country.

If children are discouraged from becoming teachers, then who is going to teach the generation that is coming up?

Society needs to stop putting venom in the children’s minds and it must encourage children to be teachers to ensure that the future of the country is well secured and planned for.

Teachers used to be respected in society in earlier times and society used to encourage children to be teachers.

Even today that good spirit is still needed in the country to ensure that teachers with passion are produced and the dearth of teachers is solved.

South Africa needs teachers with passion, teachers who will love and enjoy their job.

As much as many agree that teaching is a calling, it must never be forgotten that teaching is a profession too.

Teachers are expected to behave in a professional manner.

Firm action must always be taken against teachers who breach the teachers’ code of conduct, to ensure that teachers behave in a more professional manner.

Currently in South Africa there are many teachers who have sexual relationships with pupils, but seldom is action taken against them – that needs to end.

After society has encouraged children to be teachers, then universities must train those students who want to be teachers, not just teachers but quality teachers.

It would be futile to produce many teachers who are not quality teachers, therefore universities need to make sure that teachers are well trained, and equipped with the necessary content and skills that are expected from a quality teacher.

The newly established Black Teachers’ Association (BTA) has been vocal on ensuring that teachers are well trained and given the necessary content that is more relevant to their profession.

Boy Menzi Shongwe, NMMU SRC faculty of education representative and Black Teachers’ Association president