The Teaching Profession Should Be Abolished

On the 5th of October of every year, the world celebrates “World Teacher’s day” this day this year, like all the previous years, social media is buzzing with messages of “Happy Teachers Day” but for me, they don’t make straight sense, as a professional teacher and son of a teacher, I have lived and witnessed the plight of teachers.

As most of us do in this digital era, I take my frustration to my WhatsApp status where I put up a post “As we commemorate World Teacher’s Day today, I think about this my profession but still concur with most who think like me that this profession has for long been taken for granted and should be abolished”

Grace, a learned friend who is an advocate responds

“I beg to differ😏, this is the noblest of professions. It being taken for granted doesn’t nullify its impact on society. Maybe we should look at it as a gift. And yes, it is a gift. And the validity of a gift cannot be trashed by how it’s valued. Nothing can stop passion. If teachers compare their worth with that of other professions, then they undervalue who they are! They are more than just a profession. Ever thought about standing in front of clueless individuals to speak words that impact their lives forever? They are the only category of people that can reason with all other “professions” without a doubt because one of their many characteristics is “all-knowing”. maybe they should use the opportunity they have to teach the people they mentor to value teachers. I am proud of every teacher out there because I am a proud product. Happy teacher’s day Elvin😌”

I hear her and for me, this is a very solid and emotionally striking response. but the world has got to understand something about this debate. when we mention that “ this profession should be abolished, we do not mean to devalue it, to trash it and to disregard its impact. Such statements are meant to prompt and maybe start honest conversations about the place of education and those who preside over the same in our communities. For us, such statements are meant to mock the authorities for continuously shunning the education sector. The plight of teachers and the bleeding nature of our education system has always been subtle not until COVID-19 struck the world.

If only these “Happy Teachers Day” wishes were translated into improved livelihoods, improved working conditions, well-thought retirement benefits for teachers and a revamped and well-facilitated education system.

But again, let you all and sundry know that when a few voices chant in unison that “ ABOLISH THIS BOGUS PROFESSION” we mean not to rubbish the nobility of the profession but start conversations that should help define the ideal position of a teacher and education in our communities.