By Bala Ibrahim.
Nigeria is going through a tenure of tough and terrible changes, but the most terrible among them all, is the decay of confidence among those that are suppose to be the givers of confidence. Because the old order is crumbling fast, and new ways of doing things and thinking are emerging, there seems to be a negative change of mind-set. Those among us, who by training and the acquisition of higher levels of education, who should be having the full trust or belief in themselves, are increasingly loosing such self-assurance and belief in their capabilities. The society is making them less assertive.
As essential drivers or contributors to societal progress, lecturers, particularly those of them that have identified with the honour bestowed on the teaching profession, should hold a special place in the society. As educators, researchers, and intellectual leaders, nature has given them the task of shaping the future generations, through the advancement of knowledge. They are people with high capacity for critical thinking and problem-solving.
Indeed as teachers, the responsibility of grooming our students positively, conducting research, and contributing to the progress of their institutions/ communities, through selfless service, falls squarely on them. Because of the gift of intellect, nature has ordained them to nurture critical thinking and guide students, and by extension, the society, to play vital roles in national development. They are the intellectuals that should exercise academic work at the expense of emotions.
Teachers are considered by those that know the value of education, as the “society’s heroes”, because of their crucial role in shaping character and the future of everyone, including the writer of this article. It has been said that their work affects the fate of the earth. Yes, the fate of the earth. According to Henry Adams, the prominent American historian, journalist, and author, who made name for his autobiography, The education of Henry Adams, teacher affects eternity, he can never tell where his influence stops.
In another supportive statement on the magnificence of the teacher, the Roman statesman, Marcus Tullius Cicero, said, “What greater or better gift can we offer the republic than to teach and instruct our youth?” In all, the mission of the messages is to make the society see the intellectuals as those that think and lead straight. They are people with the character of straightness or rightness.
However, for some reasons, the society, Nigerian society, is beginning to takeaway these virtues from the mind of some of our intellectuals. I had cause to interact with a number of academics of recent, and the outcome of our discussions has revealed a recurring rupture of rectitude. A number of them are loosing enthusiasm, some are behaving with the loss of spirit, and the loss of the kind of confidence that should give hope and sense of direction to the students. This is a demoralizing and discouraging pattern of life, with the potential of breeding poor future leadership. The signs of serious setbacks to the system are visible in the character of some lecturers today. Why?
Scholars have agreed that no decay in a system is more dangerous than the decay of teachers’ minds, because it has the consequence of manifesting in serious stress, and a decline in professional performance. Truly the lack of motivation to the well-being of those expected to impart knowledge could have a ripple effect, with negative consequences on the individual teachers, the students, the school environment, and the education system it self. Stress-related illnesses like anxiety, depression and high blood pressure are now becoming rampant among the academics in Nigeria, resulting in the recurring rupture of rectitude.
I know the Federal government is working towards resolving the thorny issue of the outstanding entitlements of University lecturers, including the contentious 3.5 months withheld salaries, 25/35% wage award arrears, promotion arrears, unpaid salaries of some members etc, but a lot more needs to be done to restore the rectitude of those in the academia. The recent announcement of a N50bn disbursement by the Federal Government is encouraging, and I hope it would give a boost to the morale of ASUU, which is the umbrella union of the university workers.
Time was when teachers were conducting their affairs with pride and high sense of style. But now, because of the recurring rupture of rectitude, occasioned by the collective neglect of the society, even in the manner of discipline, many teachers would fall faulty. And the blame is ours, because we are not working towards making our teachers to be the best.
Alexandra K. Trenfor said, “When you have the best teachers, they would show you where to look but wouldn’t tell you what to see.” In Nigeria today, because of the rupture of rectitude, we seem to be seeing what our teachers wouldn’t want us to look.
