Teaching philosophy

In my opinion teaching is more than covering the subject syllabus. Teachers should be live models to the students and to the society. They should be ethical, respectable and self-motivated. A job like teaching has to be done with passion. It is about making a difference and producing an ideal generation both theoretically and practically.

School leavers should be trained effectively to face the future challenges. Each one of them may have particular skill/skills, which can be developed more with the guidance of a more experienced person. However, most school in Maldives so far mostly concentrated on result oriented teaching and learning methods. Government ranks the best schools regarding their academic performance. However, this may not be the best method to use, as some students with low academic results with some practical skills may not get the chance to develop their skills.

Therefore, in order for the students to be productive, their careers have to be developed according to the interests and skills in which they are competent. Their individual skills have to be analyzed within the capacity available in the school and the sector.

To do this, all the students can be taught to a certain grade like grade 7. Then they can be categorized according to the performance and guidance can be given to choose their career with the help of both teachers and parents. It has to be taking in to account the marks they get, the interests and skills they have acquired. Students with good grades can be trained for more professional works like teachers and doctors. The rest can be trained for practical works depending on their interest which may not need more theoretical skills like fishing and farming etc.

Moreover, even if we teach foreign syllabus in secondary grade, our religion, culture and economy have to be incorporated in teaching. Stories of role models have to be shared like the last messenger, to develop their morality and integrity and so to maintain a positive self-image.

Teachers should have a good relation with the stakeholders related in students development and learning.  Appropriate preference of the students has to be supported and conveyed to the parents. Supports and contribution should be given to the senior members of the management and the sector.

To conclude, as I have mentioned, teaching is more than covering a subject syllabus in a given period of time. Teachers have to work in collaboration with the students, parents and other stakeholders in the environment to up bring the students in a more cultured manner. Rather than focusing only on the academic performance of the students, considerations must be given to the skills and competencies in the students in order to develop their overall development. Students can be grouped based on their preferential career pathway and their interests’ needs to be developed so that they can be a proficient citizen in the society.