The Movie Matilda by Roald Dahl is loaded with inspirations and a must watch for parents and teachers. It is about a young genius girl, Matilda, who came from a crude, nasty and spiteful family. Her teacher, seeing her family background and academic potentials, took a daring stand to help her and this produced awesome results.
Matilda’s story is some people’s childhood story but not all children are as lucky as Matilda whose teacher took up the parental role in her life even as her parents were still living.
Matilda’s teacher Mrs. Honey took the decision to take on the role of a voluntary parent figure on Matilda despite the challenges posed by her parents and Miss Truchbull, the principlal of the school. It was not an easy one for Miss Honey. She put in a lot of time and efforts, and there were certainly many risks that she took. At a point, Matilda was living with Miss Honey’s house and was supported and guided by her, in her academics and beyond. At last, Matilda became very happy and fulfilled in her academics and childhood life that she proposed being adopted by Miss Honey which eventually happened. Matilda’s transformation was evident especially when she left the toxicity in her family. To Miss Honey, it was all worth it to see the positive impact that she could make in her student’s life and she was most fulfilled.
Some children may not be facing an extreme case of parental negligence like Matilda. But the truth remains that many children do not have enough parental care to support them in school and beyond. In Nigeria for instance, many children live with foster parents as househelp or nanny and they obviously lack parental love, care and attention.
In our previous article, we wrote about the role of Social Workers in promoting social wellbeing for children. While Social Workers are skilled professionals in social issues and their scope of duty relatively wide, teachers may not be trained in this field but they have first hand information of the behaviour of pupils in their classrooms. They could tell when there is a change in character, a possible abuse and regression in the academic performance of their pupils. Thus, pupils are more familiar with their teachers than Social Workers and teachers are better disposed to be involved in a child’s life than a Social Worker especially as it concerns poor parenting.
Let us discuss this
Teachers play a critical role in shaping the lives of pupils. They provide instruction, guidance, and support as pupils navigate their educational journey. However, the question remains whether teachers should take on the roles of voluntary parent figures for their pupils. While some argue that teachers should take on a more active role in their students’ lives, others believe that this responsibility should be left to the parents.
On one hand, teachers can provide an additional layer of support and guidance for pupils beyond the classroom. Many pupils come from broken homes or unstable family environments and may not have access to the support and guidance they need to succeed. In these cases, teachers can step in and provide a stable, nurturing presence in their pupils’ lives.
Moreover, teachers can serve as positive role models and mentors for their pupils. They can provide guidance on personal and social issues, offer career advice, and help pupils develop important life skills. This can be particularly valuable for pupils who may not have positive role models or mentors in their lives.
On the other hand, some critics argue that teachers should not take on the roles of voluntary parent figures. They argue that it is not the teacher’s responsibility to take on the role of a parent, and that doing so can blur the lines between their professional and personal lives. Additionally, teachers may not have the necessary training or expertise to provide the level of support that some pupils need.
Furthermore, some parents may feel that teachers are overstepping their bounds by taking on the role of a parent figure. They may feel that it is their responsibility, as parents, to provide support and guidance to their children and may not welcome the involvement of teachers in this aspect of their children’s lives.
Another concern is that teachers may be held liable for any negative outcomes that may result from their involvement in their pupils lives. For example, if a teacher offers advice to a pupil that leads to negative consequences, the teacher may be held responsible.
In conclusion, while there are certainly benefits to teachers taking on the roles of voluntary parent figures for their pupils, there are also significant drawbacks to consider. Teachers can provide additional support and guidance for pupils who may not have access to it, and can serve as positive role models and mentors. However, it is important to recognize that this is not the primary role of teachers and that they may not have the necessary training or expertise to provide the level of support that some pupils need. Moreover, parents may not welcome the involvement of teachers in their children’s personal lives, and teachers may be held liable for any negative outcomes that may result from their involvement. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not teachers should take on the roles of voluntary parent figures for their pupils should be made on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration, specific needs and circumstances of the pupils involved.
Amara Ann Unachukwu
