In praise of the glory of the humble teenager as “hero”
Many parents ask themselves, at least once, when their children hit those “problematic years”. W hy would anyone remotely coherent and sane choose to work in a school, especially one with teenagers? Schools are marvellous places; altruistic organisations where young minds are developed and children explore their philosophical outlook on life, the world and everything in between. Pragmatically, they are establishments where parents send children to be cared for while they work. Cynics say they are a place to send children so that parents can achieve some peace and quiet. Nelson Mandela praised education as: “ The most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world .” Mandela recognised that schools help young people to learn life’s necessities: how to read and write, how to communicate effectively, how to make friends and settle disputes and play sports, act, sing, learn an instrument, pass exams, make jokes, share adventures and develop kindness, resilience and determination.