State of Emergency in Schools by R. E. Smith

Schools are safe zones

UNESCO's mission "is to contribute to the building of peace, the eradication of poverty, sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue through education, the sciences, culture, communication, and information". The main point here is through Education but might I ask how can learning take place in an environment where educators are muzzled and restricted to the point where they are unable to defend their basic Human Rights? The rights have been taken away from teachers in recent years and now we are tasting the bitter medicine of a society that has little to no regard for educators.

Teachers have no right to exercise discipline but yet still they are called to teach. How can a teacher be effective and efficient in this current education climate in which they are being bullied and abused physically and emotionally? The numerous cases of assault on teachers have reached a record high and no policy is yet drafted to protect teachers' interest. To ensure that teachers feel safe and secure while they carry out the duties of a nation that seems to no longer value and respect the highly significant role they play.

The Education system is in a "State of Emergency " and no public statements or declaration have been handed down to ensure their safety. Teachers are being targeted by Parents, Children, and Superiors and are left on their own when they defend themselves. The system that should protect the interest of teachers is busy prosecuting teachers and forcing them to retire or apologies for petty breaches that hold no significance in this current system.

It is quite evident that the services of teachers are no longer valued because when the rights of teachers are violated nothing seems to happen and the matter vanishes into thin air. If the mass migration and resignations of teachers overseas and those switching to other professions is not an indication that teachers are frustrated with the system then all hope is lost.

This current state of panic within the Education System must be addressed from a national/global level. We need a public statement from those in charge as to how they intend to ensure the safety and well being of the nation's teachers. How much longer do they believe teachers will sit back and take the abuse? How can they expect to implement new policies and curriculum in an unsafe environment? Will they wait until all the teachers decide enough is enough? If History is any indication of what can happen when people reach their breaking point...then the time is now.

Teachers need representation and protection from violent acts committed against them and it needs to come from the national level. Make no mistake a nation cannot function without its teachers and a nation without a solid education system with a safe and secure environment will suffer. We are looking, listening, and waiting patiently to see what measures will be put in place to protect the nation's most valuable assets. The Dark Cloud is looming and the Ministry of Education is in a state of mourning. 

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By R. E. Smith