OPINION: Imo Teachers And Rejection Of Postings To Rural Areas

May 15, (THEWILL) – During my days in primary and secondary school, I noticed that teachers play selfless roles in the lives of pupils and the positive impacts they made on people were greatly felt.

Teachers come to work very early in the morning (some with their ladies’ motorcycles, others with white-horse bicycles). I am talking about far back in the late 1990s. Teachers, at that time, were doing their professional job with passion, compassion, all zealousness and sincerity of purpose, irrespective of where they were domiciled.

I shall continuously hold my Literature-In-English teacher, Nze Martin Nwachukwu, in very high esteem for the exhibition of a high sense of commitment to the teaching profession. This man, “Nze Mat”, as we nicknamed him, was an intelligent Literature master. He never tolerated late coming or truancy during class periods. Nze Mat was a father figure to few, who never took his toughness as wickedness. He was indeed a good man.

This teacher of blessed memory used to come to school all the way from Oguta to Umueleke Secondary School, in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area, with his cane, which awaits any student that either comes late or violates the rules of the school’s authority. Above all, Nze Mat spent all his service years in village schools where he received accolades from the Parents Teachers’ Association (PTA).

Admittedly, the roles teachers had played and are currently playing can not be taken for granted. They have responsibly shaped society for good, and their touch on people’s lives has always been applauded by their beneficiaries. They are respected because if not for teachers, it would have been difficult for us to be able to read and write. Therefore, I doff my cap for their tireless dedication and commitment towards the upliftment of our society.

We used to fetch firewood for our Headmistress and class teachers as appreciation offerings. Also, pupils declare a day to do farm work for them (Both in school and their homes). In fact, when it comes to agriculture generally, schools in rural areas perform excellently well because the students have been exposed to various farm techniques as well as how to apply composts (artificial fertilizer) on plants to enhance a bumper harvest.

That is to say, they have a lot to gain. These are what community school teachers are gaining that their colleagues in the metropolitan axis could not get. It rather takes a cool-headed person to discern the hidden treasures in that posting and embrace it.

The level at which primary and secondary school teachers boldly decline their postings to institutions that are located in rural areas is not only suspicious but can make one raise an eyebrow. Although humans should be worried about their security and welfare, a total disregard for an official duty is a clear disrespect to the Ministry (Only if the needful has been done).

It is on record that the administration of the Imo State Governor, Sen Hope Uzodimma, since he came on board, has ensured that civil servants get their salaries as and when due. Also, the university Don he appointed as Education Commissioner, Prof. Johncliff Nwadike, has been a round peg in a round hole.

Nwadike has been up-and-doing in his official duties. Professor Nwadike is a man of his word, a humble, goal-oriented, pragmatic, God-fearing and quintessential academia, whose track record in the Imo State University, Owerri, is towering.

This gentleman contributed to the present academic reformation that had taken place in the State-owned tertiary institution through selfless inputs in his area of specialisation as a diplomat. No wonder, since his well-deserved appointment as the Imo State Commissioner for Education, commendations have greeted his elevation.

Let me not digress. There have been controversies over the issue of posting teachers to villages. Some of them frowned at it while others saw it as part of the job. It is a practice that creates administrative problems, which do not, in any way, help to enhance the smooth running of the school system in our dear State.

It is pertinent to complement the effort of the Imo State education-loving Governor, Hope Uzodimma, by not flouting directives of the Ministry of Education, bearing in mind that many urban schools are over-staffed, while those in the rural areas are grossly under-staffed.

This ugly development of outright rejection is unhealthy and therefore, appears to be detrimental to the academic progress of students in our villages, who might have dreamt of becoming great in life.

On the other hand, the Imo State Ministry of Education should find out why these workers find it difficult to be transferred to other places if not Owerri. Does it mean they are not well-paid or they do not get proper “alawee” that commensurate with their activities? I think they receive their monthly salary regularly; I am sure of this. This issue of “posting rejection” sabotages the government’s good-intentioned interest in the education sector, and is supposed to be addressed.

Some have attributed the regular exercise to hatred being meted on stubborn teachers by their superiors in order to suffer them as a penalty for wrongdoings and to exude their power.

Therefore, there is a need for the State Government to provide good packages that would encourage them to do their work diligently. For instance, transportation allowance would be appreciated if added to their monthly salaries.

Source: TheWillNigeria | Read More