THE PANDEMIC; THE STORY OF A TEACHER BRAVING THE STORMS

By @ayobeniji4j

The Story of a Teacher; Surving The Pandemic.

The pandemic in many ways have had a big blow on most people all over the world. Business and activities have been affected tremendously, from tourism businesses to events hosting. The sector which is mostly being hit is the educational sector as it is no longer news that learners from all levels have been cut out of clases more than three months now.

While those on the payroll of the government are enjoying paymet despite not doing the teaching work directly, the teachers in the private sector have not been finding it easy at all. Just this week a video clip went viral on twitter where a teacher was seen literialy in tears trying to send an SOS to the public for assistance as the situation is becoming very critical.

For teachers and school owners it hasn't been easy particularly in the private sector. Last time many were paid was March. It has been God really. What can you do when the school you work with doesn't have income and there are loans to pay too with no visible palliatives comiog whatsoever from the government.

Talk of online clases parents are lackadaisical about it Some felt it's a waste and not as real and appreciated as the real class experience itself. You can't go around doing home calls/lesson because of the pandemics. Some parents complain of cost of subscription and lack of gadgets to enable their children be a part of online teaching.

Only very few can afford e-learning sessions for their children. For many a teacher, feeding has been by grace, someone said a proprietress was seen hawking fruits and anotjer person on same twotter was captivating him for such comments as being a lie.

Many find it difficult to understand the level and gravity of the pains somenteachers and school owners are facing. The truth is that in many instances that is what is the reality now on ground. Even when teachers make adverts for online teaching ,how many parents ,seeing the adverts on SM have made bookings to hire services of teachers since April?

Only very few and the elitist groups. What then is the way out for teachers? The testimony of a teacher on Twitter resonates with how and the survival spirits as it were. They had to join the agric supply chains and start putting their little savings into supply of eggs to retailers.

This ofcourse is restrained by funds and just this week.they've had to raise another fund to add sales whole sales of noodles too,since most of the targeted retailers are those who cook noodles Everything is done from home as no fund for rent of shop and still this is still being limited by lots of factors. Such as the lack of vehicle to get eggs from farms directly, so they still have to patronise middle men.

The odds are numerous but then the possibilities are way more, only if we can push further. So you can imagine what can be done when funds and means are available.... less I forget, vegetable oil is also one of the items being sold to the same noodles meals shops according to them.

This whole business ,they said, was done initially as a part time hustle by the wife while teaching was a fulltime thing. Now it's more of a life saver. Teaching is a calling and the passion which is very much alive and the impact can't be quantifie, so said the spirited educators; considering the joy derived from the fact that you affect lives positively.

In situations as we find ourselves with the pandemic life most move on. Many teachers have to survive. Many can try to help but this mustn't be a 'fish giving' kind of help just to meet present needs, but the type that empowers, being shown and taught the act of fishing itself.

Not just teachers but many need help this time around particularly those whose source of livelihood have been affected by the present pandemics. We pray it goes away soonest but just like the influencer, what if it came to stay?

Life has to go on and humans have to adapt to survive. Only those affected can tell the story better. We can cry but then for how long? God is making a way of help.

This is just a roll on a teacher's survival story while the pandemic last. Many have a story to tell ,we only pray these would be a positive one as lives may depend on this.

Adeniji A . B. @ayobeniji4j

Lead Consultant

Citadel Project.