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NOTE: This post is not for those using Npower as a secondary means of income rather it's for Nteachites who are willing to make a meaningful impact in their places of assignment.. It's a bit lenghty so you may stop here if you abhor long write-ups. Thanks!
Firstly, it's fair to note that most of us are already becoming frustrated by the swinging nature of Npower as regards both the payment and other facets of the programme. Therefore, it's additionally exasperating when you are also put under unnecessary pressure by your Principal or Headteacher.
HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR SURVIVING THE HEAT IN PLACES OF ASSIGNMENT
A). FIRST IMPRESSION No matter the environment or place you find yourself, it's acutely important to make a good first impression. This is necessary because the impression you give whenever you first meet people registers innately on their subconscious man and they subsequently tend to interprete your actions using the aforementioned as a template.
You step into the principal's office for the first time with a moody face, hippy clothes and then answer every question he asks you with careless and rude remarks........then be prepared for a terrible time as you are going to bring out the worst in him/her sooner than later......
It's your first time dear npowerite, wear smart clothes, apply a mild perfume, put on a very good smile even if it means faking it, be courteous and respectful as well as you do more listening than talking.... This same attitude goes for the teachers and other staff you will meet on the first time out.. Oh yes, i know you have some bad sides but why not keep them guessing at least for now......
B). NETWORK Now, the next thing to do is to network with fellow npowerites and liase with them so that you guys can speak with one voice.. I have severally gotten reports of principals already placing heavy workloads on npowerites and they can only succeed when there is division and strife amongst Npowerites. Work together and stay indivisible - thats the way forward!
C). ATTITUDE TO WORK. Most of us are already planning on how to go the NYSC route in npower. This simply means that some of us are already planning on how to skip work endlessly or even "ghost" off... Now, it's a natural phenomenom in life that even lazy people love folks who are hardworking.. I know most of the principals and teachers cant wait for npowerites to start work so that they can transfer to them everything they ought to do. Nonetheless, there are more pragmatic ways to deal with them than skipping work entirely or ghosting off....
C1). Please don't accept to teach 15 subjects because you want to show off and If the principal eventually succeeds in making you teach more than you can carry and you accept it - you will become frustrated before 6 months...
C2). Give your maximal best and let your best speak even in your absence... Most of us just do a little stuff and then continue doing just little to get by... Life doesnt work that way - Give your best and you wont have to come everyday.. In my NYSC, i was posted to a ministry headed by a very stern man who ordered that we must come to work daily.. Owing to the fact that i was president of several organizations, i couldnt heed to his order so i fashioned out a way. I made sure i worked like a bull anytime i went to the office and after that, i wont come for another week or thereabout... He was angry but he later accepted it because i was more effective than those who came daily. Whenever i came, i made sure i organized an environmental sanitation programme and so forth.. The result was that he reported my colleagues (who came everyday) to our zonal inspector when he came for inspection and said i was his best corper while others are just lazy..... Work always to your strenghts O npowerite.....
C3). The teaching space is a formalized gossip sphere where you meet all manner of gossip about fellow staff and other stuffs... It may serve you well to focus on yourself and avoid meddling into other people's affairs. This is because involving in office gossip reduces your charisma and degrades you to a level you wouldnt like to be associated with.
D). RELATIONSHIP WITH STUDENTS..
D1). Lady Teaching in an All Boys School.... Please my dear Lady Npowerite, do not form to be an over disciplinarian thence you are always carrying canes about. In the same vein, do not flog on behalf of another teacher - let them do it by themselves instead of making you a mobile flogging machine and getting you into trouble (the seemingly little boys you flog can be deadly). Again, do not dress provocatively, a Junior Secondary School student in a certain part of Nigeria got a female corper pregnant last year - dress smartly and dont arouse your students unless you are ready to mingle and mingling brings about insult.
D2). GUY TEACHING IN AN ALL GIRLS SCHOOL... I heard two newly posted Npowerites discussing in Anambra state. Mr A was posted to an All girls school and vice versa.. Then, Mr. B told Mr. A "O'boy, una go razzle girls tire for that una school oooo".... Mr A was just smiling at the retort as though he won a visa lottery to Kafanchan. Now, some of us here chased after small girls we were meant to teach during NYSC and some reaped the negative consequences thereof. Therefore, if after NYSC and at 25plus years of age when you should be thinking seriously about your life......and its still crossing your mind to go after little secondary school girls in the name of "razzling"......please recieve common sense in the name of any religious entity you hold sacred! I know you wont want those students to sneer and jeer at you when you enter the class....i also know you wont want them to clap their hands and laugh scornfully whenever you walk past.... Oh, you wont want to be an object of mockery and gossip about those you attempted to sleep with and failed. The answer is in maintaining a moral high ground and being in control of your emotions, trousers and awareness... Furthermore, unless you are prepared to marry...please do not flog any girl as i know there are better ways to handle girls than flogging. Be a man and your aura will keep them in check! Also, do not dress wierd or eccentrically else they will give you a name in no time. Do not go for the big grammar if you dont have your grammar in check else a stupid nickname awaits you. I recall my corper physics teacher way back in Federal School taught us in pidgin English and he was damn good.
E). PRESENTATION... Some of us are already planning on how to show off our knowledge skills.. That may not be a problem in your state but you are going to get the shock of your life if its my state, Anambra. You will see intelligent students who will gang up, study and make researches overnight and give you a very sweet disgrace.. Introduce yourself to them as not a teacher but a friend who has come to share knowledge with them. Dont form the habit of putting them down always but be a motivator who motivates them to excellence. In the class, share ideas with them and make them friends by connecting with them mentally and otherwise.....
F). BE GOOD TO ALL... Teachers are the most connected people in the universe and it may interest you to know that a good disposition to them may land you some good stuffs. A president, senator etc was taught by a teacher hence you do yourself a world of good by being good to all. Young lady, the teacher you hate and despise so much may be the one who decides whether that handsome guy (his former student) marries you tomorrow. You may not always agree with them but you can do that in an enlightened manner instead of showing yourself.... Be good to all and know that recommendations come mostly from this teachers you are to work with. They may seem small and poor but certainly may hold the key to your next level....
#Be open minded and not rigid....Smile and not frown.....Avoid pretence and eye-service but show the stuff you are made of.....Make a lasting impact on these young minds.....Dont focus on the 30k but on doing your best.....
As you follow these humble suggestions and other ones you may point out in the comment section, its my hope that you will move on from Npower onto bigger and better things..... Forgive Chuks if this is boring....i wrote it from my heart!
I love you all and God bless you.....
Shalom...
Chukwudi Ejeagwu is a beneficiary of the NpowerNG Initiative scheme and also a moderator at N-power Community Facebook Group.
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