The relationship, which began virtually on the Concerned Parents and Educators (CPE) Network Facebook group in June 2015, blossomed in real life at a programme to recognise teachers last Saturday in Lagos.
Many members of the group met for the first time at the event, which held at the S.T. and T Regency International School, GRA, Ikeja, putting faces behind the comments they had read while discussing all sorts of school-related topics.
It was a time designed to help teachers learn, unwind and be rewarded; and it achieved just that with talks by veteran teachers, dance competition, Zumba session, presentation of awards, a fun session of singing old school education-related songs, and a sumptuous feast.
Mr Wemimo Ogunde (SAN), husband of the CPE founder, Yinka, shared one of the most memorable experiences by veteran teachers at the event.
The former attorney-general of Ogun State said he paid his way through the university by teaching Mathematics, English and Literature at a tutorial centre where he earned about N75.00, which was later increased to N100 because of his productivity.
Ogunde also said he owed his educational success to a teacher, who rescued him from truancy by providing him with transport allowance when funding nearly made him drop out of Igbobi College, Lagos.
He counseled teachers to help weak students get better, noting that it was the hallmark of an effective teacher.
“When I was between 11 and 12, I was a truant. I would go to Loco, Yaba to play ball from 9am-1pm. My grades dropped and I was consistently between 110 and 130 in a class of 150. One teacher noticed. He wondered that a boy who came fourth in the entrance exam into Igbobi College could do so poorly. I told him I did not have transport fare. He placed me on an allowance from his small salary. Within a term, I moved up to 15 in class. There is no way you can forget such a teacher.
“The strength of a teacher is to turn around the fortunes of poor students and make them do well. If you are observant to look out for the weak ones, to look for the indigent, the truants, there is no reason why you cannot succeed as a teacher.
“There has never been a time a teacher was wealthy. But if you don’t have money now and you remain true to your profession, your students will be your gratuity and pension,” he said.
Mr Ogunde presented N150,000 to the group to reward teachers in three categories with N50,000 each.
Another veteran teacher, Mrs Bola Adetula, who taught at Aunty Ayo Comprehensive School, Ikoyi from 1969, said she had enjoyed the benevolence of her students over and over again anywhere she goes. She shared how they showered her with gifts and saved her from being attacked.
“Wherever you go, you will meet your students and they will assist you. I have many of them everywhere – two major generals, professionals, even area boys and area mamas, who saved me from being attacked at the City Mall,” she said.
Many teachers won gifts and cash prizes and those who had spent 10 years and above were presented with certificates for long service.
Mrs Grace Adeboye-Joshua, who spent 34 years teaching in both United Kingdom (UK) and Nigeria, was the winner of the first N50,000 and a table top gas cooker for long service. The second category for the longest serving male teacher was shared by three men, including Mr Adeniyi Adebowale. The third category for a teacher that has never used the cane was not awarded at the event. Mrs Ogunde said the search for the teacher is still on.
Apart from cash prizes, teachers were gifted with three sets of coral jewelry by Eniola Salu of Styles by Saenny, the first 50 people to arrive got wine glasses, while 50 teachers were given Microsoft Educator Certified Training vouchers by Mrs Agusto of Readmanna Empowerment Initiative.
The CPE Convener said the event was inspired by the need to appreciate teachers.
“The CPE Teachers’ programme was borne out of the reality that there is no major improvent that we can do in the education sector without teachers. Unfortunately there has been huge neglect in that area – poor remuneration, low self-esteem; they are looked down upon by society. There is a huge gap between what we aspire for as a nation and where our teachers are. Unfortunately we cannot rise beyond the level of our education system.
“It is a sincere effort to draw attention to this fact and say thank you to teachers doing such an awesome job,” she said.
She thanked school owners, like Mrs Ibru of S.T. and T Regency for giving the venue free of charge, companies, service providers, and others who contributed over N400,000 towards the event,
CPE members in attendance were grateful for the event. Mrs Mary Aderogba of Greenspring School, Anthony, said: “I am glad I am here today. It is like giving back to teachers – that’s what CPE has done. Not everyone appreciates teachers and I am grateful,” she said.
A parent, Mrs Favour Mogbolu, said: “It is really worth it. I am really very happy celebrating with teachers – though I have taught before. This is really encouraging. Such an event is really good,” she said.