21st
October, 2013
Dear Nigeria,
Today I started my teaching practice at a
government-owned secondary school. I was in a JSS2 classroom. The furniture is
old and falling apart and many of the students have to sit on boards on the
floor. The blackboard is half gone; the other half that’s left is “quarter to
go”! J They made
up for the length of the board by painting the wall black (Those of us who went
to public schools know that this is the norm). The subject was basic science
and the topic was “Changes in non-living things: Characteristics of chemical
and physical changes”. Since I’m just watching for the next few days, I sat at
the back with some little boys (probably aged 10-13 years). Yes! The stubborn
boys sit at the back… but there were a few smart boys too! I watched the
teacher try to explain the terms “sublimation”, “condensation” and “Irreversible”
to a class that could not understand. I don’t blame them, these things are made
easier with practical science laboratories (of course, they did not have any
labs)… and in their local language maybe. But they must learn English language
to be able to compete in the larger society (I don’t speak the language even)
Poor, poor kids L
I guess I have a lot of work to do when I
eventually start to teach. I have to make it as simple and practical as I can…
but we can only do so much. Whatever happened to public funds for the public? Do
the “ogas-at-the-top” have any idea of the implication of a terrible basic
education system on the future of this country?! I think not. Really, I think
not. Poor kids, poor Nigeria.
I'm not sure if it's appropriate for me to comment; could be perceived wrongly. Anyhow, maybe we can ourselves the question if they want the next generation to have an education or not? Knowledge is power. The Bible has many verses related to education and knowledge. Parents play also a very important role in the education and upbringing of their children, but then if they did not have the chance to educate themselves....we are getting in a vicious circle here! I could tell more, but for now....that's all. Maz, what you do is very noble and unfortunately underpaid. Nevertheless, God wants you to continue what you are doing and I'm sure that your students will receive countless blessings if they remember what you'll teach them. God bless you all.
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