NGO kicks against use of cane in teaching

A non-governmental organization, the Umuaka Igbo Taa, has enjoined teachers to resist the temptation of using the cane to teach children, especially while teaching subjects such as mathematics, English and the sciences.
This is to ensure that the children are not scared to imbibe the knowledge and skills necessary in actualizing the country's technological advancement.

The president and founder of the NGO, Mrs Chidi Oparah-Ibeleche, made the appeal during a writing competition organized by the group at Owerri Girls Secondary School, Imo State, recently.

She urged teachers to apply what he termed “singmatics” (use of songs) and other encouraging means in teaching those subjects instead of applying force, aggression and bitterness.

Other means, she suggested, included dramatization and teaching the child in his or her native language.

The Umuaka Igbo Taa (UIT) an NGO established to re-orientate the Igbo child in Igbo culture and tradition, organized the writing and reading contest among four schools in Imo State to mark this year's children's Day on May 27.

FUTO Secondary School emerged winner while Owerri Girls and Holy Rosary College took the second and third positions, respectively. Holy Ghost College came fourth.

Contestants wrote on the theme of this year's World Communications Day, “Fear not for I am with you (Is 43:5) and highlighted the evils of incest and internet, and how to escape the hazards.

In line with the Children's Day, the UIT team visited, among others, Abia State where they inaugurated a branch of the NGO.

Receiving the team at the Catholic Cathedral, Rev. Fr. Paschal Opara frowned at the rate at which young ones neglect and abandon Igbo language. In his homily at the mass, service, he encouraged parents to teach their children the Igbo language and culture.

At Umuahia, the team shared pamphlets containing Iwu Iri na Asato to the children the team, led by miss Precious Onwuegbuchu, also was at Christ's Anglican Church, Owerri.

Mrs. Opara-Ibereche encouraged children to read newspapers and magazines and watch meaningful television programmes, warning them against fake news and negative posts in the internet.