THE SMART TEACHER READS LAWS BEFORE LESSON NOTES

Source

We all know that eggs are fragile and that any act of carelessness in handling them will result in damage or even complete breakage. Let us take this as the law governing eggs, a law we are all aware of. Now imagine you are employed in a poultry farm where rules and regulations clearly state that if you break any egg you will pay for it and may also face additional sanctions. Before being employed you were already informed of these rules and regulations, and as a responsible staff member who values your job, your knowledge of this law and the rules will naturally influence the way you handle eggs. No matter how careless you may have been in the past, you will now exercise extra caution because you are aware of the consequences.

Linking this to the education system, we discover that teachers today face numerous lawsuits arising from infringements on the rights of students, colleagues, or other stakeholders. This leads to a crucial question, are teachers not aware of education laws, were they not introduced to the school rules. Yet, as we know, ignorance of the law excuses no one, and once our learned friends invoke the legal maxim “Ignorantia juris non excusat” the situation becomes serious. And you know that you are in for it. “Ignorance Might Be Bliss, But Not Before a Judge”

To avoid these legal pitfalls, teachers must make deliberate efforts to acquaint themselves with education laws which are drawn from the general laws and the constitution of the Federal Republic. One does not need to be a lawyer to understand the basics, but knowing them will guide actions and decisions throughout the teaching profession. It can spare teachers the stress of repeatedly answering “yes my Lord” or “no my Lord” in the courtroom and may even save them from the unpleasant experience of prison life.

As a teacher, before you can teach effectively and safely, you should first know the laws guiding your profession, otherwise, you may end up in trouble despite having the best lesson notes. Take the responsibility of equipping yourself with knowledge of education law. You do not need to attend law school for this. Participate in professional trainings, read journals, and explore the wealth of resources available online. By doing so, we can protect ourselves, uplift the image of the teaching profession, and ensure it remains a respected and distinguished career path.