As Nigeria joined the global community to mark the 2022 World Teachers Day, the need for Muslim teachers in public primary and secondary schools to impact the lives of students both academically and spiritually was the thrust of this year’s Teachers’ Summit organised by The Zenith Pathfinder, Muslim News reports…
Hundreds of Muslim teachers from different public schools in Lagos on Wednesday, October 5 converged at the popular Da’wah Centre along Oshodi-Apapa expressway to address the declining activism in Muslim teachers and the immediate call for awakening.
The programme with the theme: “Witness Unto Mankind’, was held on International World Teachers’ Day, a special day set aside to celebrate teachers and educators across the globe for their crucial role in the education and advancement of forthcoming generations.
The day presents the chance to applaud the teaching profession worldwide, take stock of successes and attract attention to teachers’ voices, who always try hard to attain the global education target of leaving no one behind.
The convener, The Zenith Pathfinder, explained that the summit, the first of its kind, was organised to charge and motivate female Muslim teachers in ensuring that they discharge their duties dutifully and mould the lives of their pupils/students by inviting them to the path of righteousness.
Hajiah Aminah AbdulSabur, the founder of the Organisation, disclosed that over time, there has been a decline in activism by Muslim teachers and stressed the need for such reawakening.
She said, “We felt the need to motivate ourselves to work as Muslims at this point because we have a mission to guide mankind. We found out that given the challenges here and there, our sisters that are supposed to be proactive in their respective schools are not meeting up with expectations.
“So, we decided to have this summit to rekindle the fire burning in us. Gone are the days when just one of us made things happen in a school and our presence was felt.”
Teachers’ intention is a major problem facing education – Anifowoshe
The founder of Best Mould Muslim School, Alhaji Abdur-Rasheed Anifowoshe, commended the organisers, saying that the summit was long overdue due to the dynamic nature of Islamic work in the modern world.
According to him, “I have been expecting this kind of programme for two reasons. First, the work of Islam is dynamic. What we have been doing is traditional, and we aren’t getting the best results. For us to get good results, we have to repackage.
“Secondly, being teachers, they are very close to the parents and learners. They have people around them that are naturally attached to them. So, they should use the opportunity to reach out to parents and learners. They need to use that opportunity to preach Islam and get them close to Allah.
Speaking on the challenges facing the teaching profession, Mal. Anifowose referred to people who ended up in the teaching profession only because it was their last resort, adding, “Such people have no passion or interest in the job; they don’t give their best and it affects outcomes.
He said: “Fundamentally, the basic challenge facing the teaching profession is a self-imposed problem and that is the intention of the teacher. Once you are not interested in teaching, perhaps you found yourself in education because you did not perform so well in JAMB, graduating and ending up teaching without any passion for it within you, it’s a big problem.
“Outside that, let’s say, you never wanted to be a teacher, but had a change of intention and resolve to progress on the path.
Stakeholder urges teachers to set goals, do self-assessment
Ambassador Hakeem Opadijo, an award-winning teacher and a coach implored teachers to always set goals, evaluate periodically and keep tidy records of developments.
He said, “People are no longer interested in teaching, most only do so as a last resort out of frustration and those who love the job are not in the service. That’s why we are not getting the desired results.
“The few who are genuinely working tirelessly should be compensated, rewarded, celebrated and groomed for betterment.”
During the interactive session, Amb. Opadijo highlighted four important traits a committed teacher should do.
He said, “We should be impactful. We should change our method of teaching. Once you are teaching and you discover that the students dislike your subject, just know there is a problem.
“I’ll urge teachers to employ edutainment in teaching, it yields more results than other methods. Do projects and involve your students in what you are doing. They will comprehend easily and it will reduce the burden on you.
“Lastly, know what you stand for. Know this is a noble profession. Change your mission, set your goals, evaluate and assess yourself. Set targets for yourself periodically and strive to reach them”.
Opadijo, who won the best teacher in District 6, Lagos, in in 2014, 2015, and 2018 also urged the few working genuinely and sincerely not to fret as Allah will reward them in manifolds.
Communique
At the end of the Teachers’ Summit which was also attended by Mal. AbdurRaheem Adekoya and Hajiah Khadijah Omotosho, the Best Teachers 2021 and 2018 in District 1 and 4 in Lagos respectively, a communique was also issued where they agreed to produce two students by the end of the term for Da’wah work.
The summit also agreed on an increased presence in schools at all times, and be morally upright, responsible and respectful.
“We will also stand as qualitative leaders to our students by teaching with quality mindset. We will as well sharpen our spirituality.”
The teachers added that they would also involve parents of the students when there is a need for it, while also stressing the need to work together to eliminate religious bias.
“Above all, we will be consistent, unique in our approach, train and prepare our students to be leaders,’ the communique read.
