True Teachers Consulting Services (TTCS), a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) says there is need for management of schools to go beyond certificates in employing the services of teachers at all levels.
Mrs Violet Ubah, a consultant with the body, said this in an interview with our correspondent on Thursday in Lagos.
Ubah said that basic qualifications such as Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) and Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) only gave opportunity in terms of requirements to be teachers.
“ There is more to being a teacher than the eyes can see; teaching is not just teaching subjects and excelling in academics alone, but to build a child/children with strong spiritual, moral and patriotic values.
” Beyond their certificates and during interview, the committee in charge should create opportunity for them to express themselves as to why they actually want to be teachers or teach.
” The idea is to ascertain if they have the passion to teach; do they really love children, posses leadership qualities to bring up children, giving them the right direction in life?”
The educationist encouraged private schools to set standards, not to compromise and to avoid employing those who do not have the passion for teaching but are simply looking for something to do.
She urged private schools to desist from using their outfits as capitalist ventures in any way.
” It is most important to get the right people in the system, and not those who ventured into teaching because of the situation they found themselves,” Ubah said.
According to her, such people will not impact lives of the children and mould them into future leaders that the nation desires, but will just be there to make ends meet.
Ubah said that the TTCS was commissioned to ensure that teachers and school business owners knew and understood their call, were committed and built moral, spiritual and social values in students.