All key players in the system deserve recognition

Whenever we decide to make considerable improvements to a system, we have to start by identifying the different components that make up that system. When it comes to the education system, the key players are the learners, teachers and parents (includes government). If things are to improve, all the three categories of people need to be motivated to perform. The parents being the investors in the education sector, their motivation is in seeing the good results from the learners. What the report card shows at the end of the term is what motivates the parent to keep investing in their children’s education. The students probably need the motivation the most and any reward or form of encouragement goes a long way in reminding them of the importance of working hard. It is often said that students are the only people who pay for something they do not enjoy consuming. This attitude can be changed when those who work hard are rewarded for their efforts. Teachers are often forgotten when it comes to rewarding effort or motivating them. Many times the assumption is that teachers already know what they have to do and their reward is the salary. What is not usually said is that everyone needs motivation. The teaching profession has probably the highest staff turnover with many ending up teaching after failing to do other things and leaving soon after they find anything else they consider better. Teachers need to enjoy their job and also to feel appreciated for doing it well. It is this motivation that can ensure that they not only stay in this profession but also do it better. Therefore any efforts to reward teachers for their role in the good performance of students should be highly commended.