21,780 out of 33,000 Teachers failed Primary 4 Exams in Kaduna State. Not 22. Not 2,000. Not 12,000. A staggering 21,000+! This is not a tragedy. It's worse. Note that this is not teachers failing a promotional examination. They failed primary four examination!

We now see why people think the way they do in our beloved country, especially on social media. If 21,780 teachers could not pass primary four test, how would primary four pupils pass primary four tests?

Someone might argue that this could only have happened in the North. I disagree. Many of our Primary School Teachers even in the South are 'Accidental Teachers' with zero passion for teaching, and this definitely translates to zero enthusiasm in the classroom. For teachers, enthusiasm is fundamental. You must want to teach and ONLY teach. You must LOVE it!

You see, as long as we keep having folks who teach simply because they couldn't succeed in other endeavours, we would continue to have an abysmal educational system. Teaching must not be for failures or 'nonentities' in the society. We put our future at risk when we allow such.

I currently have a very close friend studying her Masters in Occupational Education in the United States of America. One thing I can tell you is this;

* We have not even begun to scratch the surface in modern educational models.

Guys, the philosophy, focus and techniques have changed radically! Those who call us 'Third World' are just being nice and modest. We are far backward.

How do I know this? Simple.

I have access to this person's entire curricula and course contents for the entire Masters program, and I help with research. Guys, teaching is a universe on its on.

While Nigeria is stuck in the BC era and other outmoded styles of educational instructions, the West is already training teachers on Blended Learning, Career Technical Education and other unorthodox educational techniques. Sometimes, I ask myself if this friend of mine and her knowledge would be relevant when she comes home. The gap is that wide.

Let's not deceive ourselves in Nigeria, we don't stand a competitive chance with the West anytime soon. Without qualitative and up-to-date education, Africa stands no chance in a fast paced world.

But it all starts with the right motivation. Teaching is a sacred duty and must be treated as such. It must not be left in the hands of 'rejects'. Demotivated and uninspiring teachers cannot churn out brilliant students.

I am what I am today by Self Development. By Nigerian educational standards, I was supposed to be dumb. Yes, schooling gave me a platform to learn but the environment to learn was missing. Only enthusiastic teachers can create that environment.

Teaching is not a job. It is a sacred priestly duty. That's how serious it is.

#truthissacred
cc; Lalasticlala, mynd44

Henitan24 , there's a typo in your title.
Insightful topic I must say.
From teaching models to instructional materials used in teaching, we're lagging behind.
Teachers, these days lack passion for transferring knowledge. What we have are coincidental teachers who are only interested in salaries.
The system and they themselves have refused to upgrade the teaching sector and it can be seen clearly.
We need teachers who have the drive for knowledge dispersion.
Government should set standards, supervise them and try to upgrade the teaching standard.

encryptjay:
Henitan24 , there's a typo in your title.
Insightful topic I must say.

Thanks... modified