As I spent a week in Nyandarua and Laikipia Counties recently, I had one special engagement highlighted in my diary. I had to meet one principal, who we previously met in Nakuru County, where he was a deputy principal. While in the previous school, he never shied away from acquiring adequate copies of our two publications for his school, in the absence of the principal.
That was a great form of situational leadership, which I featured in this forum, a while ago. So, my mission was in his Laikipia school this time, to simply congratulate him for becoming a Principal even for a day school, compared to the previous position in an etra- County School. Though the previous position was attached to numerous benefits, he had nevertheless climbed up the ladder of authority.
Upon arrival at his new school at 4.00 pm, Principal RR, was excited to see me, as I had weeks before promised to pay him a visit. Within a short while, we engaged in lengthy discussions, which involved the challenges in the education system compared to other countries, being nurtured by an uneducated father, the impact of Semastea ( forgive me for the spelling if wrong) on improving teaching of sciences, how diploma teachers perform excellently etc
Of great interest was the principal’s experience in Singapore, where teachers are first engaged as assistant teachers. Every class of 25 students, has an assistant teacher and a full teacher. The former has to learn adequately from the latter before qualifying to become a full teacher.
Interestingly, Principal RR practiced that experience while back in Kenya. How? Students had lost patience with teacher Kamau ( n of t real name), a math’s teacher, whose delivery process was extremely wanting. He couldn’t face students, while in class, to the extent that some could not tell how this extensively shy teacher looks like.
Upon confrontation, teacher Kamau onwned up and confirmed that while in college, he performed well in everything else except in teaching practice. Luckily, Principal RR, then a popular physics teacher decided to help. Teacher Kamau had to spend one term sitting in the physics teachers’ class, to learn the art of teaching.
Thereafter, teacher Kamau became an admirable Math’s teacher, who eventually rose to become a deputy principal, seemingly upon being re-warded for his teaching exploits. This and more experiences of Principal RR, likely to be shared later, led to us parting ways at 7.30 pm. The key lesson here is, how well have you helped others to become better in their lifes or careers?
Notably, statistics on the ground continue indicating that only 10% of teachers became teachers by choice. A further 40 to 50 % of teachers ended up becoming passionate teachers. This means that there is still a balance of 40% of teachers who are in the real sense undergoing punishment in their entire working life.
Sadly, these dispassionate teachers involuntarily become negative influencers to their colleagues and students as well. It is no wonder then that the career hated most by students of ever becoming is teaching itself, as continually noticed during our empowerment seminars.
As institutional managers, how well do you engange experts to improve the lives of not only the dispassionate teachers particularly, but also the students they involuntarily continue influencing negatively? Any efforts in that regard are highly commendable. Based on philosophy, the efforts are great contributions to the improvement of the welfare of humanity, aren’t they? How else could teachers who have enjoyed our seminars re-enter school to re-align their knowledge? If in doubt please check our YouTube Channel.
Rgds
Mwangi Wanjumbi (MKIM)
Personal Empowerment Coach
Seasoned Speaker/Consultant Trainer on Strategy, Performance, Change Management and Leadership.
Competency Based Curriculum-CBC Architect
Author of 1. KICD approved Career Dynamics in the 21st Century, 2. Living Beyond Survival:No More Tiptoeing in Life
- The 21st Century Student:Are You Creating The Future Today? Also, Retired 5 Year Monthly Strategy Columnist (2013 – 2018) for The SME Today Magazine Phone 254772516210
More @ https://t.co/oOxkhHx8Ch
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My You Tube chanel under Mwangi Wanjumbi continues empowering all. Welcome!!!
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