2025, let’s not only survive but also thrive and come alive -I think this should be a cool motto for the year. It is a bit lengthy, I’m open to making it shorter, maybe just thrive and come alive, as an ultimate goal? Unfortunately, the reality for most is that surviving is the main hurdle that needs to be jumped before anything else, so that needs to be acknowledged.
The news of 2024 left a lot of people unsettled about what the new year is going to bring. Schools closed down (or are on the brink of closing down). The education department was discussing job losses for teachers due to budget cuts. Lastly (but not finally), the BELA bill which was signed by the president even though many were still unclear and uncertain about its contents. The education system is under strain, and teachers feel it the most and this is just in South Africa. It’s hard to stay positive amidst growing challenges.
Here is what I would like to say to teachers for 2025: The country needs teachers and not just any teachers, but teachers who are young, energetic, and bold enough to try new and exciting things. It is sad that the country knows that it needs you, but they aren’t prepared to accommodate you, that might just take some time for the realisation to kick in. Last year, I read an article that General Workers and Cleaners will be receiving a 100% increase over a number of years, and that will surpass the amount that teachers earn. I was mad when reading that, not because they do not deserve it, in this economy everyone deserves a raise, but the article made it seem as though there was zero cares to give to teachers who do a lot for the country’s children. Anyways, I continued reading/researching to find out more, turns out trade unions have been fighting for this for many years (maybe close to 10 years) which is way too long, but I would like to believe that teacher unions are fighting too, and won’t stop no matter how long it takes (sooner would be better than later, just saying).
It feels a bit weird to be writing all of this knowing that I will not be teaching this year, well I haven’t been since the fourth term of 2024. Every year, I would write a list of hopes and fears that I have for my teaching career. This time around, I just want to send only hopes and best wishes to my friends and colleagues who are doing amazing things in their classrooms wherever they are. And this includes Newly Qualified Teachers (NQTs), I have been there and know how overwhelming it can be to first find and secure a job in the subjects that you enjoy (this is important) and then secondly to create the classroom environment that is conducive and relationship building between both you and your learners and lastly to keep up with the extra side hustles (break duty, invigilation, teacher admin, parents, management etc.) and these are still yearly issues even for the most experienced teacher in your school. So, as a new teacher, you lowkey have the license to make some mistakes so long as you are learning from them. It will not be sunshine and rainbows every day.
Another hope of mine is that teachers find happiness in the job or out of it. Last year I was brutally unhappy with a lot of things. I think I started to actually show misery, I was beyond faking and making it. It was not an ideal situation. As teachers we have a million transferable skills and gifts to share with the world, teaching does not have to be your only thing, you can fill your cup in other ways. Sometimes your contract says that you should not do things that will sidetrack you from your core work, just watch out for that.
Last hope for now, is for teachers who are also students like me: It can get crazy to keep up with assignments, lectures and exams whilst also preparing lessons, setting tests/exams and dealing with the hustles. It is challenging and frustrating, but it can be rewarding and fulfilling. For me it was because I was (still am) studying what is aligned with my passion and current job. I think that and the support of some good people and amazing study buddies, it really got me through the first year.
So, here’s to 2025. If all you do is survive, then great! But I hope you reach stage thrive and come alive, too! Self-care is non-negotiable, you hear that from everywhere, but it actually takes real practice not just a thought in mind. May 2025 be a year where we fulfil as many of our heart’s desires as possible!
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