Teachers aren’t any longer cheats, teaching has taken a worthy shape in public schools in Bauchi with Tilde
This picture is that of a public school, not a private one. It depicts the new face of education in Bauchi State and portrays the renewed commitment of its teachers and educators to the success of their students.
No more loitering of students like before. No more principals calling teachers on phone to remind them of their periods. No more class monitors going out to call their teachers to lessons. Teachers can be seen patiently waiting on the corridors for their turn in the next period.
Thank you, our teachers. This picture from Government Day Secondary School Tilden Fulani has made me proud of you. Your turnout in all schools across the state has been fantastic. Continue and never relent.Wallahi, I never thought this level of commitment can be achieved in our public schools in less than 2 weeks. It is possible only because our people are naturally good hearted. They only need the leadership that will guide them to realizing their full potentials by appealing to their conscience, monitoring and registering their activities, appreciating their effort and acknowledging their work.
Upstream
I understand that my function as Commissioner of Education is not only downstream – appealing to you and coercing you if need be – but also upstream. I am the bridge between you and government. I must convey your feelings to it and fight doggedly for your rights and those of our schools. I will fail if I do not carry out that function as effective as is humanly possible under our circumstance.
On this, I will ensure that government plays its part. The era of schools being abandoned to fend for themselves in mundane requirements like chalk, teacher texts and notebooks is over. A father has responsibilities beyond feeding his children. If he does not buy their clothes and pay their school fees – he has opened a gate for their truancy and prostitution. Likewise, government must endeavour to provide some basic needs of learning in public schools beyond paying salaries promptly. Otherwise, it would open the gates of corruption by administrators and extortion of parents. I will plead with the His Excellency, our Governor, to ensure that. Luckily, he is the Kauran Bauchi, who does not shy away from challenges. He will face this one head on. Sure.
I have already directed that the stores of Ministry be combed and every essential material be carted to schools. We have enough chalk to go round, for instance. What are these materials doing in the store? What we do not have we will press on government to provide immediately. I assure you the Governor will be willing to keep his own side of the bargain. Just continue to keep yours.
Promotions and Incentives
I also note from the complaints and suggestions which I have been receiving in the past three weeks since I reported on my desk that there have been pending cases of promotions. I assure you that this will be addressed as soon as our database in the Ministry is completed. However, as I told the Nigerian Union of Teachers’ congregation yesterday, not all staff may deserve promotion. Those that absconded from their duty posts and abandoned our children for no approved reasons do not deserve to be promoted, just like those whose godfathers gave them undeserved accelerated promotions while their hard working colleagues remain for ten or so years unattended. The system we are putting in place now and which we will complete in the next one week, God willing, will be egalitarian and will treat each according to his effort. There will be no godfather.
Digital Monitoring
Part of that effort is the high degree punctuality you are exhibiting now. By 10am every morning, the Ministry will be in a position to know who reported at his school and who did not. In a month time or so, we will be able to know by closing hours of every day the lessons that were missed in the entire state, in which school and by which teacher. The situation room is ready with brand new computers in place, waiting. This is even before the digitization of the whole process that will make it much easier.
Every activity of education administrators and teachers will be captured, analysed and used in appraising their performance, which in turn will form the only basis of their promotion, appointment and reward in form of prizes at the end of each academic year. I will not forget to say that those found wanting will be properly sanctioned accordingly.
So, our teachers, let us continue to be positive and hard working. We can plan and execute a great future for our younger ones today. The change of attitude exhibited by you already has reaffirmed the hope I have in you. I promise that you will always find me by your side, in every step we take on that path.
Thank you, our teachers. Thank you all.
Dr. Aliyu U. Tilde
COMMISSIONER
Ministry of Education
Bauchi.