By Oluwasemilore Olaomi
Anamika Mishra once said, “A good teacher is like the rising sun that comes to fill the empty and dark minds with the light of education.” World Teachers’ Day is celebrated on 5th October each year, and this year’s theme was “Valuing teacher voices: Towards a new social contract for education.” While it is wonderful to have a day to honour educators, it would be even more fitting to foster a habit of appreciating them every single day, rather than once a year.
Learning is a continuous process. The day one stops learning is the day one ceases to exist. Education doesn’t always happen within the four walls of a classroom; it takes place in the world around us. When we come across something fascinating, the best person to turn to is often a teacher, a reservoir of knowledge. Teachers are always ready to explain, guide, and encourage. They are like parents, and sometimes even best friends, outside the home. Even when their students may not realise it, teachers serve as mentors, constantly shaping young minds. I am fortunate to have experienced teachers who have made a positive impact on my life.
Have you ever noticed that during career talks, few people mention wanting to become a teacher? Teachers and school staff face many challenges. Whether it’s marking hundreds of scripts, filling out vast amounts of student information, ensuring every pupil understands a topic, or dealing with disrespect simply because of their profession, being a teacher demands resilience and grit. It requires patience, compassion, and an unwavering sense of discipline. And through all of this, teachers manage to carry themselves with a certain “steeze” – that ability to connect with students on a personal level. No matter how stressed they may be, teachers walk into their classrooms with a smile.
Beyond academics, teachers play a crucial role in shaping us into the adults we will become. They help mould our character and guide us in discovering ourselves. Teachers are the architects behind future leaders, poets, doctors, engineers, CEOs, and more.
While we often praise those of great intellectual achievement, we must not forget the fountain of knowledge from which they drank. While we applaud great leaders, let us not overlook the leader who led them. While we praise doctors, let us also remember the teachers who first provided care to countless young footballers on the school field.
This year, as part of our celebrations, our teachers embodied the spirit of the past by dressing in old-school attire, reminding us of the enduring role teachers have played in every generation. It was a fun and memorable way to honour them, but let’s ensure that our appreciation for teachers doesn’t fade when the day ends.
Oluwasemilore is of Blooming Heritage Secondary School, Abuja
