True teachers
I write this as an ex-teacher and headmaster of 40 years’ experience, whose family has been involved with education for many years. A recent comment in one of the newspapers that the dropping of OBE was not a cure-all has prompted me to write in support. While acknowledging the inequalities in education, one has at the same time to give credit to the role played by dedicated teachers. Apart from the hard work in the classroom, true teachers willingly participate in helping to organise sport and cultural activities. It seems to me that many teachers today are in it for all the wrong reasons.
I found this letter to the editor this morning while reading through the Cape Times. I consider it a follow up to my previous article, You’re a teacher. Deal with it.
The following letter was written by RM Dugmore.
I write this as an ex-teacher and headmaster of 40 years’ experience, whose family has been involved with education for many years. A recent comment in one of the newspapers that the dropping of OBE was not a cure-all has prompted me to write in support.
While acknowledging the inequalities in education, one has at the same time to give credit to the role played by dedicated teachers. Apart from the hard work in the classroom, true teachers willingly participate in helping to organise sport and cultural activities.
It seems to me that many teachers today are in it for all the wrong reasons. I know certain schools where teachers are late for class, who take their time finishing takeaways over break. They fraternise with their pupils, use “stress” as an excuse for staying away and do little to prepare their charges for final examinations.
Yet these teachers draw the same salaries as their conscientious colleagues.
The argument that some schools get results because of the facilities their pupils enjoy is not true. What about the outstanding results achieved by some very poor schools? What do they have in common with more successful schools? Dedicated teachers!
The staff at these poorer schools generally have a competent, dedicated principal and a staff who turn up on time and help coach weaker pupils in the afternoon or even over weekends.
We now have pupils (why learners?) returning to school after a ridiculously long break to find teachers (why educators?) preparing to go on strike.
This at a time when we are told 1GOAL – education – and coinciding with the appeal on Madiba’s birthday to sacrifice their spare time!
I believe there are some 100 days to go before the exams come round. This is usually the reason why lazy teachers and lazy pupils choose to strike.
Anything to drum up an excuse for the poor exam results which will inevitably follow.
What do YOU think? Add your comments below.
Teacher's Monthly experience
I am so please you used the word ‘pupils’. Please get ‘them’ to change learners back to pupils!
I’m currently a final year student – with a real passion and dream to become a teacher. Most of my fellow students are studying B Ed because they did not qualify for any other studies. The passion and dedication is not there.
I feel that the poor situation in schools is due to negative teachers – sitting in a comfort zone, unwilling to make a change and pursue their real dreams! Teaching is not a career – it should be your calling.
Normally, when one reads something factually, before one can even try to make sense of it… if the author is white (or from ex-model C school background), one automaticly reasons out of defense. Much as I would like to do this, that is to defend myself in solidarity with my fellow colleagues, what you have just said here in this article, cuts directly to the core. 80% if not 90% of teachers in our schools are definately not there for the love of it, let alone the love of learners.
After all why would I worry bout learners in my class when my own kids are safely secured in classes I surely know they are being taught no matter what? I can “mos” afford to send them there, luxury most parents in our communities can’t afford. It is heartbreaking and at the same time nerve wrecking especially if one needs to manage teachers with theories like these, teachers with no conscience…
Ron Dugmore is so right. And he does talk from a background of dedicated teachers. His father taught my father English – and my father loved the subject. His mother taught me English and History – and I loved the subject. And they set an example for me to become a dedicated teacher. Dedication to the children one teaches is the basis of good education.
… And because you were a dedicated and passionate teacher, you taught me English and I loved the subject. You also set an example of what it means to be dedicated to education and learning, and so I am now dedicated to education and helping teachers and children. So the impact of having dedicated teachers is very, very clear.