Last night I went to the movies and saw
“Won't back down.” I was inspired to hope that we can also
change schools in the Eastern Cape.
Of course it is a different setting
with completely different historic circumstances, but I also saw a
few things that we need to consider.
Teachers, why are you teachers? Is it
still about the education of the children or has it become about
money and job security?
I know that it is not an easy task that
you have in your hands – the lack of facilities, finances, large
numbers of learners in classes, discipline problems, loads of admin,
parents' lack of involvement...The list goes on and on.
The challenge posed by this movie is:
How does teachers remain focused on teaching children the best they
can? I think the answer is by being accountable.
It was good to see the courage of a
mother to confront a school system that has gone bad. I think we
need more parents like that. People that are not only concerned
about the future of their own children, but also about all the other children
who's parents won't stand up and speak out.
Of course this does not give parents a
Blanco check to interfere as they like. There must be trust in
teachers qualifications and good intentions. Where the facts on the
ground and in the community's statistics paints a different picture
though – parents and teachers need to take hands and work hard for
change. It will take courage and commitment, but I can tell you this
– if they don't, nobody will.
Yes, there is an important role
government must play in education, but will they play it if nobody
insist on it? And if they don't or can't get to it yet, what should
parents and teachers do in the mean time? Wait? Or role up their
sleeves?
Evelyn
