Education

Anyone who has visited any primary, secondary and tertiary institution in Nigeria particularly the public ones will indeed have so much stories to tell and quite alot more to imagine at the end of such visits. Take for example, Public primary and secondary institutions in the country where students are expected to sit on the floor or just the roads leading to such schools are unimaginably unpassable.

That is the situation which though appear inexplicable here. Chairs and tables are lacking in these institutions and sometimes students are less than the required numbers in classrooms. also in the so called public secondary schools, the situation is worse as science equipment are lacking.

Science students are made to understand only mentally that certain Organisms exist for instance, but such Organisms have never been observed by them physically because microscopes are just not available for these purposes.

In the universities, these scenerios described here are completely not different. It is a known fact that some universities in the country have no toilets to serve students and lecturers alike.

This is Nigeria yet we are expected to produce great intellectuals comparable to the most learned in the world. and indeed we seem to be justifying this expectancy as Nigeria in spite of this ugly arrangement have continued to breed to some of most learned in world, a justification of what some some observers would want to attribute to natural gift from God because we Nigerians so much believe God to be a miracle worker. Private stake holders are indeed availing themselves of this development to ensure that 3 block classrooms are set up and named secondary schools.

What is more private universities are spiringing up every where, thus diverting government attention from our public schools. Everyone now need to pass through private school to the utmost abandonment of the public schools. The nigerian Government your urgent attention is needed to development our schools so do something

The Balanced Teacher
 
There’s an old saying that states, “Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach!” The trouble is it is true for some – but not all. Cast your mind back to when you were at school and you’ll probably remember a last-ditch teacher you had. Then think back again and you’ll probably remember the one teacher who inspired you.
The one teacher whose pupils left the classroom with a shining light in their eyes and ideas in their heads. What makes these teachers special? What was the secret ingredient that made you want to learn?
 
There are about six attributes that I’d like to touch on:
 
CONFIDENCE: A balanced teacher has a built-in confidence of authority. Not the no-nonsense desk slapping type who had you scared to breathe; but the one who just commands respect through their, ”I’m in charge” demeanour. Within minutes pupils can detect with an uncanny radar, those teachers who are hesitant in front of a class. Contrary to what you might think pupils actually prefer teachers who have the authority that says, “I’m the boss.” It makes them feel safe and secure in the knowledge that this will be a settled class. They actually resent weak teachers that they can dominate.
 
INTUITION: The balanced teacher has the amazing ability to sense things. They spot the bright kid and foster their talents. They can sense the shy kid and develop a class atmosphere of support. They see the bad behaviour as a signal that there’s something else behind it. They perceive the good and the bad in every pupil and know what to do about it.
 
REAL: The balanced teacher has no problem bringing their own life into the classroom so that pupils can learn from real experiences. They are honest about mistakes. Own up to them and kids don’t really worry; but try to cover them up and you’ll be in for a tough time because you’ll lose their trust.
 
COMIC: Perhaps the hardest attribute to master but the balanced teacher is a funny one. One who can enjoy a joke even at their own expense. The secret is laughing with them. Any comic situation can be used as a learning opportunity and balanced teachers recognise this and use it at every opportunity. A balanced teacher can bring the class back from a good laugh easily with one quiet sentence –“ Right then, it’s back to work for you lot!” or “You lot will get me sacked. Let’s get our heads down again shall we?” Notice the collective pronouns “our” and “we”.
 
LEAVEL-HEADEDNESS: Not panicking when the going gets tough. If a certain pupil is giving you or others grief causing tension in the classroom, the best method to placate this is to be quietly spoken but extremely decisive. The balanced teacher does not go in boots and all; he gives the pupil a choice. “Billy you can either stop that unacceptable behaviour, or you put me in a position where I’ll have to punish you, and I don’t want to do that! Let’s have a look at what’s bothering you.” As soon as you give them a choice then the defiant behaviour will not arise. And by showing concern for their problem you signal that you care.
 
EASY TO TALK TO: An approachable teacher is worth their weight in gold to everyone including parents. By having an open door policy with parents, teachers can increase their knowledge of their pupils exponentially thus leading to better teaching and learning. Children feel safe in their approaches to these teachers and know that confidences will be kept secret and that concerns will be acted on. No matter how trivial a problem may seem to you as a teacher it is probably a mountain in the eyes of the pupil – ignore it at your peril. Put time aside to develop an atmosphere of trust by group talks and discussions of world or local events. These are the times you can establish worthwhile values and virtues that you, as a mentor, whish to encourage in your classroom.

Self-confidence is the ultimate power. It gives courage to ‘see off’ difficult times and the strength to achieve success. Everyone needs it, including your children.

So what is self- confidence?

a) Doing what you believe to be right, even if others mock or criticize you for it.
b) Being willing to take risks and go the extra mile to achieve better things.
c) Admitting your mistakes and vowing to learn from them.
d) Waiting for others to congratulate you on your accomplishments.
e) Accepting compliments graciously.
Help your children develop this power. Here are 7 ways to build your children’s self-confidence.

1.Praise Their Good Work and Achievements

START TODAY, find something to praise your children regularly. Like…
- “My, you learn so fast.”
- “Your handwriting is good.”

Your encouraging words program your children to do more and more good things, without shouting. When you are praising your children,make sure that you do it at the right time. The right time to praise is immediately after your children have done some good work or have behaved properly. If you find it difficult to praise all the time, then look into your children’s eyes and smile happily when they do their work right. This will convey the message.

2. Make them RESPONSIBLE for their actions and life

Encourage your children to do some household work depending on their age like—cleaning their room, hanging their clothes neatly, setting tables, watering plants,making their own beds, etc. If your children are older, you can ask them to help incooking and washing dishes. Praise their effort, ignore their faults! Even young children can be assigned the task to keep their toys back in their place. Doing work around the house gives children a sense of responsibility, teaches the habit of finishing the work they start, and helps them to develop self-esteem.

3. Teach your children to be kind and helpful

Be kind to them! Smile at them more frequently. Laugh together by making routine things funny. Encourage your children to help others whenever possible, like their classmates and friends.Ask them to share things with their siblings. Helping others instills good human values and increases the feeling of self-worth in children.The fastest way to teach your children these qualities is to practice them yourself with other people—

4. Turn Mistakes Into Opportunities for Improvement

When your children make mistakes, focus on improvement. Not on their mistakes or faults. For example, if your children come home with poor report card, instead of shouting how dull they are, help them to analyze where they lost their marks or points. Encourage and guide them to study that subject more until their score improves. Similarly if they don’t do any work properly, focus on teaching them the correct techniques of doing that work, instead of berating how stupid they are.

5. Don’t Complain to Your Neighbor

Many parents criticize or complain about their children in front of other people, that too right in presence of their children.
“She does not read at all. I have to tell her so many times.”
“He is poor in math. He always scores less in it.”
Can you imagine how children feel when their parents do this? It is plainly embarrassing, even humiliating. Frankly it does nothing to improve children’s performance. It only lowers their confidence, apart from making them angry at you. Hence it is a good idea to keep a check on what you say when you speak about your children with others.

If you really want to talk about your children with neighbors or other people, then
talk about their good qualities. Discuss their good performance, Your positive remark, that too in front of other people, will not only increase your children’s confidence, but will also satisfy their need for approval. Happy children are more inclined to listen to your instructions. And are more willing to improve on their weaknesses and behaviour.

6. Support Their Interest

Encourage and support your children’s good hobbies and dreams. Like, if your son loves to paint, encourage him to paint, whenever he gets free time. If your daughter loves bird watching, get her a binocular to watch birds closely. This will not only help to build your children’s self-confidence but will also increase their creativity. And who knows, your children might carve a successful career for themselves out of their hobbies and interest.

7. Avoid Pampering

Avoid pampering and spoiling your children with too much love. Try not to overprotect them. Otherwise children may become emotionally weak and dependent on you. Aim to strengthen your children’s self-confidence without overdoing it.