Who Is A Teacher?

When studying for a profession one needs to think about what is expected from them after their studies.

Nowadays, the teaching profession has become the leading career in terms of the number of students enrolled but not everyone studying to become a teacher dreamt of becoming a teacher one day.

The most hurtful thing is when you meet people who tell you they have enrolled in the teaching profession because they failed to qualify for the course of their choice. Or due to financial difficulties they did not meet the requirements, or the course of their choice is not offered at a local institution of higher learning, and they have a phobia of living a life of struggle if they distance themselves from their families.

It is for these reasons that we have teachers who are incompetent and unable to carry out their roles and responsibilities fully. Most of the teachers our institutions of higher learning are producing are failing to perform their duties as professionals inside the classroom.

Ed Markley once said: “Education is not only a ladder of opportunities but it is also an investment in the future”. This simply means as a teacher one’s responsibility is to give knowledge and teach skills to pupils, in doing so you are investing in them. In future they will use the knowledge and skills taught to them to contribute to the economics of our growing nation.

A teacher’s responsibility is not only to teach learners inside the classroom but also outside the classroom environment. A teacher is an inspiration, role model and a great motivator. Children look up to their teachers and wish to be like them one day.

Teachers inspire learners through their speech and actions. Most times when children go home from school they tell their parents what they learned at school and how the teacher treated them. Children do not forget what their teachers say about them whenever they do something – be it good or the opposite – therefore one needs to be sympathetic, trustful and kind when working with them.

Last but certainly not least, make the classroom a safe, secure learning environment where every child feels free to ask questions, take part in class discussions and do all that is acceptable inside the classroom regardless of their gender, culture, colour or religion.

Erastus Ihemba is a young activist and youth motivator. He is currently a University of Namibia student

at the Rundu campus.

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