Various speakers at the ‘Inspired to Teach’ webinar organized by CPE on the 1st of May, urged Nigerian teachers to see themselves as Nation builders, bearing in mind that the future lies in their hands.
Mr Olasukanmi Opeifa, one of the speakers, laid emphasis on attributes teachers need to embrace for them to have great impact on the new generation. These include: Having a mindset shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset, Empathy, Good Communication, Collaboration, Keeping a positive workplace culture, Building positive digital culture.
Also, teachers were urged by the second speaker Mr Johnson Abbaly, to imbibe the spirit of ‘Ubuntu’ an African philosophy of a form of humanism expressed in the phrases ‘I am because of who we all are’. Emphasizing the need for teachers to give hope and not condemn, to further embrace our oneness as a nation.
During the Q and A session of the program, the teachers from various parts of the country raised several issues ranging from the relevance of teacher training from time to time to the correlation between classroom work and student’s daily life as well the government’s responsibility in providing educational materials for both teachers and students.
Mrs Yinka Ogunde, the founder of the Concerned Parents and Educators Initiative was present at the webinar as she discussed the after-effects national matters had on teachers. She also addressed the attending teachers and educators on the importance of a ‘Teacher shift’ to change the mindset of teachers towards transforming the Nigerian education system for the better. Also present at the online meeting were CPE board of trustees’ members; Mrs Bola Adetula, Mrs Kemi Koleowo-CPE National coordinator, Mrs Toyin Sode Idowu-The Coordinator for Lagos and Mrs Anike Adegoke.
Overall the webinar was an inspiring session and a wakeup call to Nigerian teachers on what needs to be done to shape the future lives of the nation.
