Convener and Executive Director of Train The Trainer (TTT), Dr. Onyekachi Onwudike-Jumbo, has said that it is important to lift up the teaching profession and create an environment where teachers can thrive and gain dignity.
She noted that dignity starts with teachers understanding that their profession is one that trains other professions, they are responsible for shaping lives and therefore, deserve to have every equipment to do it efficiently
This was the thrust at the TTT inaugural summit in commemoration of Teachers Day. In line with the theme of the summit, ‘Giving teachers the dignity they deserve in Education’, Onwudike-Jumbo urged teachers to use everything at their disposal to ensure that students are capable of competing globally as this is the crux of the profession.
In a keynote speech, Dr. Joy Isa, emphasized that for teachers to attain their deserved dignity, they should be capable of striking the balance between making profit and making a difference in a child.
She explained that as much as making profit is important, the aim still remains to get every child across the line to their future. She iterated that teachers should learn the art of balancing their time in order not to be caught in the web of deficiency and provide students the opportunity to think and process information on their own. Hence, the need to collaborate with school administrators to ascertain desired results.
Therefore, to get the best from teachers, it was advised that they get an equitable compensation and a sound working condition. A Montessori directress, Mrs. Endy Henry, further stated that it is likewise important for school leaders to be provided with consistent professional development that will enable them stay equipped to pass down values to children.
However, the Programme Coordinator at God’s Hands Developmental Therapy, Abiodun Odogun, pointed that in every teaching center, there are always people with special need, dealing with one thing or the other. He therefore recommended, in his speech titled ‘Inclusive Education- (Equity or Equality)’ that teachers don’t segregate children struggling with learning, but instead, do things that interest them as well.
Also, speaking at the event, the Curriculum Director at Phoenix TS, Dr. Somachi Kachikwu, stressed the significance of leveraging technology in education and pathing ways with traditional or cultural methods. Making reference to AI tools, online learning platform and social media, she added that learning is made easy with technology and teaching becomes a symbiotic activity which paves way for students and teachers to adapt to different learning and teaching styles, respectively.
Conclusively, the four-man panel session titled; ‘Implementing Innovative approaches in African classrooms’ included: a Cognitive Trainer and Advocate for learning disabilities – Founder, Benin Teachers Network, Ugwu Chidinma Rita, Expert in inclusive and Equitable Education, Queen Elana, Specialist in Family Dynamics, Peace Eze, and Child Development, Sandra Oluwadara, took attendees centered on taking practical measures to classrooms and the essence of self-development, through mentors and professionals in higher cadres.
