During our holistic CREATING THE FUTURE TODAY SEMINAR, we always have a session for students presenting on their desired eventual careers. The why and what it takes, are part of the presentation. Lastly, the students indicate which careers they would avoid ever venturing into.
Apparently, the foremost avoidable career happens to be teaching. That never excites the class teachers, who are part of the seminar, in most cases. Their distress arising from students avoiding ever becoming teachers, is always very noticeable. Why is teaching not a popular career, based on perceptions of students? Why are the teachers not very admirable role models?
These have been issues of great concern, even though, once in a while, we find a student here and there, who perceives teaching as the desired eventual career. But, for us to dig deeper into this matter, we need to keep in mind that only 10% of teachers chose the career right from the beginning, on their own volation.
Another 40-50% of teachers ended up liking teaching, while on the job. Sadly, 2 teachers out of 10 who became teachers on their own volation, indicated something interesting. That was during a RE-CREATING THE FUTURE TODAY SEMINAR for teachers (which permanently transforms their perceptions,for the better), early this term. The 2 teachers revealed that given another chance, they would never choose to become teachers – we didn’t follow up on the reasons why.
Meanwhile, the entire school system still has 40-50% of teachers who are totally dispassionate about teaching. Seemingly, they are undergoing punishment, but receiving some reward at the month end, thus able to persevere the career. Most often, they have poor attitudes about their work and unknowingly or involuntarily reveal their dislike, about the same.
Obviously, such reactions have some impact on their students. In that regard, we have been thinking carefully how the feelings of teachers about students avoiding the teaching career, can be addressed. Our last seminar this term happened on Monday 31st October 2021, in a leading extra – county school, based in Machakos County.
The students of form 2 and 3 plus their class teachers experienced the presentation on Careers, as is always the case. Two out five students indicated that they would never want to become teachers, after finishing school. The concern of the class teachers present was quite evident. Why would their students openly reveal that they would never want to be like them?
It became necessary to address the matter for the benefit of all. The truth as revealed during the seminar is that most teachers wanted to become engineers, doctors and lawyers, amongst other high-end careers. Further, most of them were influenced by extrinsic factors. Remember the school system is still in the 20th Century mentally, but physically in the 21st Century.
Currently, it is intrinsic factors that should guide students and everyone else. The case of teachers can however be associated with the requirements of the then JAB – Joint Admissions Board that determined the university degrees to be pursued by every student – KUCSP replaced JAB in the recent past.
The high end careers were then and even currently substituted with teaching. Can teachers therefore be fully blamed for joining a career that was not of their preference? If not, their situation should be torelated as the education system continues transforming for the better, isn’t it?
Seemingly, the class teachers in the seminar were elated upon having been saved from the perceptions of their students. It was quite exciting being prevailed upon to return to the school for the seminar for all teachers. Nevertheless, that possibility was left at the mercy of the principal, upon being convinced by the class teachers. What about other schools? Welcome for similar hands on practical solutions for not only students, but also teachers as well.
FYI
Feedback on impact of our empowerment strategy is always very exciting. That from one Institutional Manager who engaged us and participated in our teachers’ seminar titled RE-CREATING THE FUTURE TODAY in October 2021, can’t be taken for granted.
As students were being admitted to universities, mid this year, he sought to know the most befiting choice for his brilliant son. All we needed was to know the performance of the son and what he naturally excels in. “Let him pursue anything to do with computer science,” we advised.
It was recently exciting to learn that the youngster was admitted for a Medical Biotechnology Engineering degree, in one of the leading public universities. After graduation, his opportunities will definitely be limitless. He will easily venture into either self or formal employment, whatever the choice. That is the way to go in this 21 st Century, isn’t it?
Rgds
Mwangi Wanjumbi (MKIM)
Personal Empowerment Coach,
Speaker/Trainer/Consultant on Strategy, Performance, Change Management and Leadership.
Seasoned Trainer of Trainers,
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
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