Every year on October fifth, the world pauses to recognize the pivotal role teachers play in shaping humanity’s future; a day to celebrate those who burn their candles to make others shine, THE TEACHERS. The day was observed globally last Sunday but, in Anambra state, World Teachers Day is being celebrated today at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka with pump and pageantry through the magnanimity of our teacher-friendly Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, who is also a celebrated teacher.
Teachers, today, are no longer just conveyors of information; they are mentors, innovators and guides helping young people navigate a rapidly changing world. Suffice it to say that, if education is the foundation of national development, then teachers are the builders who lay the bricks of progress.
The World Teachers’ Day came about as a result of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) recommendations concerning the status of Teachers to the United Nations in 1966. Their submissions stated the rights and responsibilities of teachers globally.
The day is therefore dedicated to those who devote their lives to the belief that learning culminates to liberation, self-reliance, egalitarian society and sustainable democracy.
The theme of this year’s World Teachers’ Day, “Recasting Teaching as a Collaborative Profession”, with sub theme as, “Together for Teachers, Together for Tomorrow”, is thought provoking and clarion calls that require action. The teacher, being the hub on which all educational processes revolve, should be given adequate support and motivated to put in his best in the business of moulding and remoulding of pupils and students.
Anambra has fared so well and the teachers of the State are grateful to Governor Soludo for the numerous developmental projects in the state, especially in the education sector, including, regular payment of salaries and allowances, regular promotion of teachers, training and retraining of teachers and massive renovation of schools and elevation of some schools to smart schools.
Others are: regular interaction with Principals and Head teachers of schools to get a direct feedback from operators of the systems, payment of long outstanding teachers’s gratuities and recruitment of eight thousand, three hundred and fifteen teachers.
Nna Anyi Governor, these laudable achievements have not only added unquantifiable values to the education system in the state, but has so much encouraged the teachers to do their duties. We are grateful Sir.
However, like Oliver Twist, we still ask for more. There are still inadequate teachers in our public schools, due to yearly retirement of teachers.
Equally, we request for elevation of teachers to salary grade level seventeen and appointment of qualified teachers to positions of Permanent Secretaries. We also request for renovation of Teachers’ Secretariat and its environs so as to give it the decent look it deserves. Thank you OLU ATU EGWU for your revolutionary prowess in education and other sectors. We pledge our total loyalty and support to you.
Anambra State Teachers will remain diligent, committed, dedicated, law abiding and resolute to our professional calling. Let us be the hope for the future of our children and equally be the change we want to see in the world, as we profess and stand to say:
Together for Teachers!
Together for Tomorrow!
NO TEACHER, NO NATION: IF YOU CAN WRITE YOUR NAME, THANK YOUR TEACHER.
COMRADE CHIKA CHUKWUDOZIE
