My father is a teacher. He dedicated all his life to teaching and lecturing in Nigerian schools and universities. He rose to the top of his professional ranking and retired nobly and honorably. Even though he has left the classroom teaching, his life and way of living reflect varied aspects of teaching. Two of my sisters also taught for many years in secondary schools before they had a change of career and pursuit. My brothers-in-law ( my sister’s husbands) are also teachers and Professors at Nigerian Universities.
Therefore, I came from a family of teachers and by extension, to my in-laws. Apart from their professional competence and dedication to this duty, there is nothing extraordinary about what they do as teachers because it is what many other people do in different forms and dimensions. Whether professionally or unprofessionally, whoever impacts knowledge or values to people is a teacher by expertise or by implication.
During the days of our forefathers, raising a child is not the responsibility of parents alone but of every adult member of the community. That is why an adult would scold any child he sees misbehaving without asking or knowing who the parents are. Some would discipline or even spank a child they don’t know, to correct bad behavior. Adults were too conscious of instilling discipline in children and children were also very willing to take corrections from any adult. Unfortunately, this has changed because everyone is now minding their business and ignoring all the looming danger.
To teach is to impart knowledge and inculcate values. Though there are people who stay in the classroom to do these, it is a duty for all. From our very place of abode as parents, to the community and the society. Every adult is called to teach every child around him. The negligence of this duty is one of the fundamental problems of this generation.
The urgency for everyone to be part of this noble call is on the increase because there is a whole lot out there to teach beyond traditional classroom learning. The need to shape the minds and attitudes of children into well-rounded individuals is imperative. We must not confine ourselves to the comfort of our homes, schools, churches, places of work, and so on. We are called to teach anywhere we go, to the streets, the markets, the places of worship, the alleyways, and every path we tread.
Beyond the elements of alphabet and arithmetic that characterize classroom learning, there is a need to;
- Instill the right principles and moral values in children.
- Inculcate steps to develop every child’s identity and a sense of self and purpose.
- Encourage community service and foster entrepreneurship in children.
- Collaborate and advance unity in children towards a common goal.
- Explore young entrepreneurs programs, youth leadership organizations, and business skills in children.
- Organize technology-driven workshops and symposiums for children.
- Create cultural awareness, language exchange programs, and educational tours for children
- Encourage children to gain valuable skills, perspectives, and experiences that help their overall development.
- Teach children kindness, love, respect, compassion, sacrifice, and patience.
- More importantly, to model these teachings before them and live by example.
The world is hurting and the bruises are manifesting in the attitude of the present generation. Mathew Crooks Thomas, the boy who attempted to kill Donald Trump yesterday is 21 years old, so are many youths who perpetrate one evil or the other in society. The message of redemption needs to spread as far as it can to curb these menace.
When I read the popular ballad of years ago that says, “Go, Move, Shift”, I feel it’s an instruction for every adult to make a move and teach the next generation what they need to know and how they need to live. Pope Francis also admonishes Christians to be “shepherds living with the smell of a sheep”. This means that Christians ought to make moves always, outside the church, to make Christ present in all places and at all times. Our great commission towards humanity it to ‘go’ and to ‘teach’ and it is a shared responsibility in both the traditional and professional setting.
✍️Amara Ann Unachukwu
