Commentary: A noble profession

 THE child loving and unrecognised person with the country’s future at heart is the teacher, the integral human resource developing mechanism.

This significant day (referring to Oct 5) marks how important a teacher is for the country.

Every year in the life of a teacher comes the “International Teachers Day” where countries recognise the jobs of the teachers and provide incentives with recognition of some kind. 

However, the teachers gather to share these sentiments as no-onewould respond favourably should they speak up.

They wait patiently for authorities to organise incentives. Some die in the course of waiting, others ship out for greener pastures, while some still serve wholeheartedly the upcoming leaders.

Heartfelt sorrows and condolences to those who passed away while on duty and a goodbye to those who left and intending to leave due to personal constraints. We salute you all for who you are and what you are. 

As for those who just joined and other aspiring ones, welcome aboard. 

Teaching is a noble profession and we are obliged to deliver knowledge diligently with agility and gratuity.

Sailing the rough seas, crossing flooding rivers and swamps filled with dangerous creatures, climbing rugged mountain terrains and getting soaked in heavy downpour is a teacher. 

Carrying his backpacks and with his small family, braving the threatening natural hazards is the teacher striving to meet and achieve the many goals and objectives set by the Education Department and the country to educate our future leaders.

On an isolated island across the sea and in the remotest part of our country, where there are no other government agents or organisations and business houses, stands the teacher with the flag of PNG.

Walking distances, sleepless nights, problems and meals with the cheapest form of protein in his meals are norms that each teacher cannot deny. His only joy is the success story of his students.

The parliamentarians, doctors, engineers, pilots, nurses, drivers, police officers and soldiers are the pride of a teacher’s commitment and dedication.

However, every time a teacher comes out into town from his only hideout, the classroom, his movements are questioned as if he is a culprit. Even if he or his immediate family member is sick, he is being greeted with cruelty by being put off the payroll. 

When he dies, hardly any of the officials attend the funeral. A low ranking officer is likely to attend, otherwise the teachers organise to bury their comrade.

It does not matter how you may want to appreciate the teacher who engineered you to your prominence, he still has hundreds of goals and objectives to achieve. 

Every teacher wishes to be up there like any other public servant, but how can this happen when their requests fall on policies that regard teachers as nothing but a mere low class public servant. 

Their little income compared to teachers overseas is nothing compared to the price of goods and services these days. How much can he use and how much can be saved to make ends meet is a challenge.

Surrounded by the natural environment  and its hazards, people’s attitude, the ignorance and negligence of the authorities to honour and plan remunerations for his duty, he lives day and night with his soul focused at the children he is entrusted with. 

That is the environment he is devoted to serve with his piece of chalk and metre ruler.

The teacher is always a teacher and will serve as a teacher and pass on as a teacher. 

• By Mr K Cyhome, who is a teacher at the Boreboa Primary School in Port Moresby. It was written to mark teacher’s day on Oct 5.