TEACHER AISHA MUHAMMED; A MOTHER, A ROLE MODEL AND AN EDUCATIONAL ICON.

TEACHER AISHA MUHAMMED; A MOTHER, A ROLE MODEL AND AN EDUCATIONAL ICON.

BY:
MUDASSIR ALIYU YUNUSA
NTA KADUNA NWC
mudassiray@gmail.com

     'I am a pupil of Shehu Garbai School, I am a good pupil, I promise to be attentive and discipline; loyal, neat and tidy; obedient, punctual and resourceful. Throughout in the school and thereafter.'

   The above is the popular school pledge that is always fresh in my mind and which we learnt through Malama Aisha Muhammed Biu of Shehu Garbai Primary School Maiduguri, an English Teacher who played a role of true mother in teaching and mentoring young ones to be of good character and preparing the leaders of tomorrow. A Teacher with distinct qualities and philosophy of honesty accountability, transparency, dedication, sympathy and fear of Allah in the course of discharging her responsibilities.

TEACHER AISHA, as we affectionately called her and all other teachers in the school, has made several indelible marks in the history of Education in Borno state, a well trained teacher who dedicated her time, energy to pass knowledge, wisdom and good character to her students who have excelled now in various field of human life, some became qualified Medical Doctors, Teachers, Engineers, Professional Accountants, Journalists (where I belong), Politicians, Business moguls, and many Academicians.

Indeed history of Shehu Garbai School will surely be incomplete without mentioning her name as English Tutor as well as Headmistress in the Primary section and rose to the position of Vice principal in secondary section, a position she held until her retirement on the 7th of this month (August), 2019. she spent most of her time in serving government and community with the aim of attaining better condition of service/life.

TEACHER Aisha attended Mirnga Primary School, proceed to Women Teachers College Maiduguri in 1973, got admitted into Borno State Advanced Teachers College in 1980 and University of Maiduguri in 1988, She did her NYSC at WTC Maiduguri, She started her career as a classroom teacher in the Ministry of Education in 1984 and reached the pinnacle of her career in Borno State civil service under the Ministry of Education as Vice Principal. She made enormous contributions toward the development of education in the state, her firm ideal and principle of equity, justice and fairness are among the qualities that made her to stand out as a teacher and a record breaker in the area of education and training in different schools.

 As some one who hailed from humble background, she always denounce illegality in what ever form, it was against her strong convictions. Her appearance always indicate how pious and decent she is, matching the true colour of good wife/mother as well as dedicative teacher and role model.

She thought me English language at a time when I can only read Hausa and Arabic texts, and at a time when I only know very little about English speaking and grammar. Thanks to her gentle guidance and encouragement to me which served as a solid foundation for my understanding and insight about English language. I will never forget an incidence that happened in the year 1995(class 5B), when TEACHER Aisha asked me show her my back, with my little understanding of English, I just went to bring my school Bag, an event that made the whole class were seriously laughing at me including the girls which I felt so ashamed and disgraced. But TEACHER Aisha responded politely and compassionately. She said "Muhammad (as she was calling me), time will surely come when this laughter will turn to applauses as per as English language is concern, you will learn it and work with it in an excellent way". That was the time I became so curious and very inquisitive to learn English language. She used the book 'Mastering English' to teach us in class while the book became my close friend at home.

   As a Teacher in Four (4) Schools: WTC Maiduguri (Teacher), Shehu Garbai School (Teacher) Government Arabic College Maiduguri (Teacher),  GSS Bulabulin (Vice Principal) and back to Shehu Garbai (as Vice Principal) again. She was always against the negative behaviors among students such as lateness, truancy, lackadaisical and non-challant attitudes. On the part of her colligues teachers she abhor mediocre, indiscipline and laziness which she challenged them to purge themselves and be punctual to their duties particularly when it comes to their lesson period.

     Neatness, decency and environmental cleanness are what TEACHER Aisha likes much, she wrote a proposal to Borno State Government on how to clean and sanitize Maiduguri metropolitan in 2011. She also like playing with children especially her 3 grand Children.

I write this piece as valedictory to our Teacher, mother, mentor and a role model as she bade fair well to the civil service. She retired successfully from service on 7th August 2019.

I want to assure you that your proper guidance and intense prayers you offered to us are always counting on us, when I did my NYSC in Maiduguri in 2009, I met some of your students and my class mates, most of us are successful and achieved our goals tremendously. One of your students in Kano is able to memorized the whole Advanced Learner Dictionary.

I have no doubt in my mind that Mallama AISHA Muhammed Biu has contributed positively to the growth of education in Borno State and Nigeria as a whole. I am sure she left the stage when ovation was aloud. And the onerous task for Borno State Ministry of Education to sustain her legacies rest squarely on their shoulders. Once again I salute you Ma for the courage and determinations you used towards impacting knowledge, wisdom and good dispositing to your students as well as your hardworking, honesty and determination in serving your state and your nation at various capacities should be written in Golden colours and remembered forever.

As you retired not because you are tired, May Allah continue to guide you, protect you, give you good health increase your faith and bestow unto you additional wisdom to continue enriching the society.

MUDASSIR  write from Kano City. 08028188129 (Text only)