DZWatch Exclusive: Opinion Piece – I write to you, Honorable Member of Parliament, having heard your recent remarks made within the halls of power. You questioned the suitability of a doctorate holder teaching the ‘Alif Baa‘ – the very foundation of literacy – as if it were a punishment, a degradation of skills, or a waste of talent.
Allow me, a teacher with two decades dedicated to educating young children, to respond to your statement with respect, but also with candidness. You speak of the ‘Alif Baa‘ as if it were a trivial pursuit, unworthy of scholarly attention. But do you realize, Madam Parliamentarian, that this very ‘Alif Baa‘ is the bedrock upon which your own accomplishments are built? Every word you speak in Parliament, every law you read, every degree you’ve earned, began in a small primary classroom where a humble teacher showed you how to hold a pen.
The ‘Alif Baa‘ is not merely a set of letters. It is the key that unlocks the doors of knowledge for a child. It is the magical moment when a young mind discovers the ability to read the world, to understand it, and to express themselves. He who teaches the ‘Alif Baa‘ plants a seed in a child’s mind that may blossom into a scientist, an engineer, a doctor, or even a member of Parliament!
Do you truly understand what a primary school teacher does? Let me share with you a glimpse into my daily routine, into this ‘simple’ task that you seem to despise. I arrive at school to find thirty children before me, each a universe unto themselves. One struggles with learning difficulties, another with family problems, a third is hungry, and a fourth needs to feel safe. I am not just a teacher; I am a father, a brother, a psychologist, and a social worker. I teach them letters, yes, but I also teach them how to respect each other, how to resolve conflicts through dialogue, how to believe in themselves, and how to dream. I instill in them a love for their country and noble values. I identify and nurture their talents. I support those who are struggling so that they are not left behind.
Is this a small task, Madam Parliamentarian? True knowledge lies not in a certificate but in the impact one makes. You speak of a doctorate as if it were a crown that must be kept far from the ‘contamination’ of young children. But allow me to tell you: the true scholar is not the one who holds a degree and hangs it on the wall, but the one who leaves a lasting impact on their community. In Finland, which boasts one of the best education systems in the world, primary school teachers are highly respected and valued.
