What we need from our teachers

Teachers have a chance to make a positive difference in a child’s life. But in order to do this, they must know what matters most to the children. Martin Bishop asked children of Remera Protestant Primary School what they need from their teachers:I wish our teachers greet us in the morning each day and send us off with a “see you tomorrow”. Instead of starting with ‘open your textbook on page…and end with ‘you will see me if you don’t do your homework’. Manzi Mucyo Philemon------------------------------------------------------------Some teachers are jealous. For instance, if your father is a minister, whenever you do something wrong they say, “…just because you are a minister’s kid…or just because your dad is rich…” It makes one feel guilty of who they are. Iradukunda Yves ---------------------------------------------------Some teachers are like soldiers on duty – they never smile. I wish our teachers would smile more often and even tell us some jokes. Ntwali Kevin--------------------------------------------------- Some teachers have favouritism. Sometimes no matter how many times you put up your hand when they ask a question they’ll always pick the same kids. Ishimwe Patience Louis --------------------------------------------- A good teacher should know their students family lives very well. For instance, some orphans get hurt when a teacher tells them things like, “Tell your father or mother to buy you this or that.” Uwase Cynthia -----------------------------------------------------Sit and talk with me privately, even if it is just for a second. It makes me feel that they care. There are things I can’t tell my teachers in front of other kids but would like to talk about in private. Wihogora Uwase Phiona-------------------------------------------- I wish teachers tried to be our friends. It would be easy for us to learn and share with them whatever we go through. Keza Bisous Lisiam----------------------------------------------- A good teacher should help children who are not so bright in class instead of making them feel bad about themselves. Ishimwe Samuel --------------------------------------------------- I love it when my teacher calls me by my name; it shows that he knows me personally. Ngoga Martin -----------------------------------------------Teachers always demand for our attention but never give us any. Children also need teachers’ attention sometimes, because we also have things to say. Uwamahoro Belyse------------------------------------------------------ I wish my teacher would ask about my weekend – the things I did, games I played, or how my holiday was. It shows that they care about my life. Mbonyinshuti Erwin---------------------------------------------------- I wish my teacher wouldn’t mistake shy children for being stupid. They should instead help them in all possible ways. Hirwa Aime Serge