The fundamental importance of teachers in society as well as in the shaping of young minds took centre stage during today’s (5 October 2012) KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education’s World Teacher’s Day celebrations which were held at the Durban University of Technology’s Indumiso Campus.

Themed “Take A Stand For Teachers”, the event was attended by teachers as well as dignitaries including DUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Ahmed Bawa and KZN Education MEC Senzo Mchunu.

Professor Bawa said teaching is the mother of all professions and is “completely fundamental” in every society. He said even though the system of bantu education has been abolished, South Africa still has a long road ahead in addressing challenges face by the sector.

“We’ve all been influenced by our teachers. In some cases it (influence by teachers) hasn’t been positive but in most cases it has been (positive). There might have been a teacher in your life who influenced the way your life turned out and it’s important to recognise that”, said Professor Bawa.

Making an example of a student he once taught at the former University of Durban Westville, Professor Bawa who is a Physicist by profession, said teachers and lecturers must never underestimate the capacity of people if they are driven. The story was about Dr Isaac Machi, an outstanding KZN scientist and academic who Professor Bawa said was his best student.

Ironically, Dr Machi applied to study Physics with poor subjects which consisted of five Es and one D for Mathematics. Advised by Professor Bawa to study towards a BA after seeing his poor matric results, Dr Machi refused and was given a chance.

His determination to succeed would however result in Dr Machi passing his degree with flying colours.

“Engage young people with the notion that they can achieve. Intelligence is distributed democratically. We must never underestimate what our young people can achieve”, he said.

Speaking about other ingredients essential in the teaching profession, Professor Bawa said respect is a two-way street, urging teachers to give their pupils the same respect that they demand from them.

He also said it is important (for teachers) to create lifelong learners. “We have to give them the skills to become lifelong learners. In this new era of knowledge, learners will have an average of fourteen jobs in their lives. The economy and society are in a different place now. We have to strengthen pupils’ ability to learn as they move forward. There is a huge responsibility for us not just to ensure that they pass, but that they become lifelong learners. It’s also a huge responsibility to ensure that they are technologically savvy. We have to think about what education means, (because) it is about producing people who are passionate about South Africa”, he said, adding that teachers must also become lifelong learners if they want the same for their pupils and students.

Professor Bawa said while great challenges remain, society has to work together in solving them. “Let’s make our society child centered with the teachers at the centre with them”, said Professor Bawa.

–          Sinegugu Ndlovu