marble nkomo
THERE is nothing wrong with changing a teacher, especially when your child is not showing any improvement in academic performance.
As a parent or guardian, your primary responsibility is to ensure that your child understands, grows and succeeds. If time is passing and there is no noticeable progress, then it is important to take action.
Consider this: your child has been attending lessons consistently, even during the holiday, yet there is still no meaningful change.
The same struggles persist, the same concepts remain unclear and confidence may even begin to decline.
This is not a matter of blame, but rather a moment for reflection. Sometimes, the issue is not effort, but approach.
Teachers are different. They have different teaching styles, methods and ways of explaining concepts.
What one teacher may struggle to communicate effectively, another may present in a way that suddenly “clicks” with the learner. This is why engaging another teacher, especially during a holiday period, can be a wise and timely decision. It provides the learner with a fresh perspective and a new opportunity to understand.
Changing or adding a teacher should not be seen as disloyalty or criticism. Instead, it should be viewed as a strategic step toward helping the learner succeed.
Education is not about loyalty to a method, it is about results, understanding and progress.
Schools, too, should embrace collaborative teaching.
When teachers work together, learners benefit from a variety of teaching approaches.
Exposure to different styles, whether it be more practical, discussion-based, visual or example-driven, can make learning more enjoyable and effective.
Collaboration also allows teachers to share ideas, strengthen each other’s methods and ultimately improve learner outcomes.
For learners, this diversity can be powerful. One teacher may simplify complex ideas, another may inspire curiosity, while another may strengthen exam techniques.
Together, these experiences build a more, complete and confident learner.
Parents should feel empowered to make decisions that benefit their children academically. If a change is needed, make it without hesitation.
Time is a critical factor in education, every term, every lesson counts. Waiting too long in the hope that things will improve can sometimes do more harm than good.
In the end, the goal is clear: to help the learner understand, perform and succeed.
If bringing in another teacher can unlock that potential, then it is not just acceptable, it is necessary.
Dr Manners Msongelwa is an author, educator and youth coach. He can be contacted on +263 771 019 392
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