adminALMOST all teachers who communicate with me request anonymity. “Teachers are not allowed to talk to the media,” they say. “Please do not publish my name or that of my school.” I cannot help sense a strong fear of the unknown in these teachers and can almost see this stalking ghost following them everywhere.
Last week, I promised I would seek clarification from the Provincial Education Director. I did. Here is what he said:
“Teachers are not allowed to comment on matters of policy on or use the media to criticise or attack ministry officials,” said Mr Andrew Chigumira.
“We are civil servants and must only support . . . help to explain, but not criticise or attack policy. We have no problem with teachers or students sharing teaching ideas and experience on your columns.
“Even your Students Speak columns where you interview students on their academic and other achievements, is very academic and very useful.”
There you are teachers! Let us talk and freely share wisdom about our work. That has always been the idea from the outset. We learn from each other. Some teachers are less experienced and need to learn from the veterans.
What the PED correctly means is very clear. Interpretation is that you cannot use the media to post petitions or grievances about what are clearly policy issues. Let me also add that these correspondences must not be seen as opportunities to exchange emotions, opinions, views and ideas that are political or which carry political overtones.
Teachers are civil servants, we must not forget. As such, they must not be overcharged with attitudes that put them at loggerheads with their employer or the Establishment. Teachers are professionals.
They are thinkers and nation-builders, I always say, not nation wreckers or opposition forces.
That means so long as we are not questioning the science of government, but distilling wisdom within our professional boundaries and/or debating service delivery within the context of our “trade and industry”, that is clearly not politics. That is not questioning policy or attacking seniors. Indeed to suppose that teachers have no suggestions, comments or remarks to make about their job or teaching subject other than what the textbook or teacher’s guide prescribes is a serious underestimation of their intelligence.
If they have been teaching for several years, and most of them have been, and indeed learning as all teachers worth their salt should do, it is miserably naïve, is it not, to gag them . . . to silence them and compel them to biblically follow teacher’s guides and textbooks?
Thank God no one gags teachers, except their own fears and imaginations. You are free to interact with other teachers on TEACHERS’ FORUM. So long as nothing is sinister or resembling cheap effrontery or confrontation! Please keep your ideas and wisdom rolling. You can freely use full names and accompany your write-ups with photos if you wish. No big deal!
If you are not striking, protesting or petitioning, you have nothing and nobody to fear? Reserve your emotions, grievances and complaints to your teachers’ unions. Use TEACHERS’ FORUM for academic discussion and debate. It is your platform for intellectual intercourse with other academics, nothing more.
Online Reporter