Disrespect For Teachers In Society: Asking For God’s Anger? -By Kamaluddeen F.A. Ibrahim

Literarily speaking, a teacher is simply described as an individual saddled with the responsibility to educate and impart knowledge on his pupils/students. From religious context, a teacher can be described as an intellectual who helps us remember GOD. Therefore, he or she needs to be valued like we value our parents. Indeed, with the influence that teachers have over our lives, recognizing teacher accomplishments is a necessity. A good reward system helps a school build a growth-centered environment, track the individual progress of educators and keep them inspired for dynamic growth and new achievement.

To this effect, a teacher should be seen as an intellectual who not only shapes you but also grooms you, looks after you, teaches you everything you need to know and loves you like your own parents. Not only the society but also our religions emphasize on the importance of teachers. For example, GOD promises to exalt those who possess the knowledge (teachers) to the highest ranks. By virtue of its connection to GOD as its Source as well as the frequency of its appearance in the Holy Qur’an, it can be inferred that the pursuit and propagation of knowledge through teaching is of the utmost sanctity to GOD.

Also, the Holy Bible talks about respect for teachers in the society which begins with one’s attitude toward GOD. People who show due respect towards GOD will know how to properly respect their teachers. This involves understanding the concepts of obedience (Hebrews 5:8-9). Teachers are some of the most selfless, giving, caring individuals in our world. Their goals and ambitions are in seeing their students succeed in life and many of us have our teachers to thank for where we are. Yet, teachers often face discouragement and feelings of defeat. Speak words of encouragement and thankfulness to the teachers you know and it will make a difference in their day. The question here is: Are teachers accorded their due respect in Nigeria? The answer is No. It’s so disheartening that someone like Mallam Adamu Adamu (Education Minister) is so insensitive and inconsiderate on the non-release of university teachers’ withheld salaries. The Minister himself and the Government he serves, previously admitted that ASUU could embark on another strike in the event of breaching any part of the agreement as contained in the memorandum of action.

It’s extremely infuriating to see one Bello Shehu Adamu (who lacks proper understanding of ASUU’s struggle) describing it as a call for ALLAH’s anger. Only a dunderheaded self-confessed shameless person who does not have regard for GOD’s injunctions can talk recklessly to his teachers and calls for GOD’s anger. It is only in Nigeria anybody can disrespect a teacher without any fear, which informs why we keep producing bad leaders who lack the political will and moral capacity to revive the economy. No wonder they are being disrespectful and wicked to university teachers.

Despite all odds, teachers still spend their life helping to raise the next generations in an underpaid and underappreciated job. It would be nice if they could receive a little more respect from the people in government. It is crestal clear that the respect for teachers in the society is quite low. A living evidence emanates from quantum of castigation, insinuation, instigation and lack of support previously received from parents, students and the general public by university teachers at various times that ASUU strike was embarked upon.

Although, positive gestures in support of the ongoing ASUU strike have so far been shown by nearly everybody, Federal Government has been trying to conceal the needle of truth in a haystack of lies and obfuscation, instead of nipping it in the bud by reaching an instantaneous agreement with ASUU to give university teachers the respect they deserve. It is highly disappointing that the Nigerian government finds it hard to believe that education sector in any nation is the only sector that raises people’s productivity and creativity, promotes entrepreneurship, knowledge economy and technological advancement. In addition, it plays a very crucial role in securing economic and social progress and improving income distribution. The problem of this country is that, for the past four decades, there has been no visionary leader with strong conviction of what education sector can offer. Honestly speaking, Government’s recalcitrance and refusal to heed to ASUU’s demands portend a call for GOD’s anger. The concerned stakeholders in education sector shall be made to account for the role they play in the face-off between ASUU and the federal government, whether they like it or not. No matter how bitter the truth seems to be, it must be told.