What do you think could make an employer wake up at dawn and go to work, sometimes without saying sugarcoated morning words to their spouses, children or other family members?
Is it the passion, failure to lose your job due to daily expenses or what? one may ask.
The truth of the matter is that about 80% of employers who consistently go to work and have passion for their service are a result of the income they benefit from the work they are doing.
The sad aspect of this matter is when a committed staff is unable to receive the full or needed support that will facilitate his or her work as envisioned.
A case study in this scenario is teachers who train students from the infant stage to the high level of their lives to become who they were created to be in future.
I know at this point you might have remembered your Basic, Junior High and Senior High School teachers who although you were troublesome were able to reshape your life into who you are today.
You might be a Lawyer, Journalist, Medical practitioner, Member of Parliament in any constituency now, fashion designer, hairstylist, or teacher yourself. With the professions, the list goes on.
Globally, teachers are honoured for their important role in transforming education and shaping the future of students every October 5.
The observance of World Teachers’ Day began in 1994.
The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘The Teachers We Need for the Education We Want: The Global Imperative to Reverse the Teacher Shortage’.
Indeed teachers reflect the educational status of students and not the beautiful edifices.
Honouring outstanding teachers who go the extra mile to meet the needs of vulnerable students in rural areas annually is enough but how best as a state are we ensuring that the needs and wants of the teachers who impact knowledge in students are met?
The Coalition of Concerned Teachers (CCT) recently expressed concern about the poor infrastructure in many basic schools nationwide.
According to the coalition, several basic schools in Ghana lack furniture, teaching materials, and the requisite structures for academic work, especially those in remote areas.
This is not the first time the educational body has expressed worry over the lack of social amenities in basic schools.
The salary of teachers in Ghana is not encouraging and that is compelling most of them to travel abroad for greener pastures.
Teachers always say ‘their reward is in heaven’ because their wages as staff are unable to cater for their expenses.
With all the sweat and passion they attached to their profession, teachers believe that God/Allah will surely bless them for their service as a preacher of the gospel will say.
As teachers do their best to ensure that students get a better future, the government must also perform its responsibility of providing all social amenities that will make teaching and learning easy, and most importantly their salaries.
The government at any point in time must not owe teachers due to their lifetime commitment to the education sector.
If you can read this piece, thank your teacher who taught you the alphabet and numerals some years back.
Like Brad Henry says, “A good teacher is the one who can inspire hope, ignite imagination and instil a love of learning”, never forget to always appreciate your current or former teachers because they are the hidden candles in your life. Kudos to all teachers across the globe.
Ayekoo!!! to Ghana teachers.
Your service is commendable.