School Is Out 📏👩‍🏫

With the advent of summer, it happens. Schools take a hiatus from the teaching-learning routine and everyone gets some kind of a break, be it students, teachers, school staff, or even parents and caregivers.

While end-of-term breaks are common and part of the planned routine, there is something about this year's break that feels really well-needed.

The entire education sector was thrown into a frenzy a couple of years ago when COVID-19 hit and students, guardians and school faculty alike were all thrown into the messy whirlwind of figuring out Remote/Online learning.

It was hectic, hampering and horrible for some.  For many, particularly those who were already teeter-tottering on the precipice always threatening the formal education system, this spelt a permanent exit for them from the formal education system and a swift induction into the informal road scholar network.

When we think about this and the tragedy of a missed education, or institutional incompetencies that lead to critical gaps in foundational knowledge, the only conclusion that can be drawn is that this is a sad and unnecessarily common recurrence.

Even more sad is the failing of those tasked with the responsibility to teach others, especially the children of the next generation about the truth about Jesus.

In our case, we may not be fighting against the common enemy that is COVID-19, but we fight arguably even more difficult and dangerous enemies, such as apathy, hopelessness, frustration, fear, and the big one... ignorance.  All unseen enemies, but all good at what they do, which is to render (current and potential) believers in Christ mute and ineffective.

The Bible makes it clear that a healthy respect and regard for who God is, the fear of the Lord, is the beginning of wisdom and we should seek after knowledge and apply understanding as we continue to live (for God) and learn.

It is our responsibility as we learn to also be teaching what we learn to others and not neglect the responsibility of their exposure to the teachings of Jesus Christ.

As believers, we learn from the Word of God, through direct reading and interpretation, or through God's messengers, through circumstances, times of meditation, and devotion. For us, we are constantly presented with opportunities to learn, to teach and to grow.  For us, teaching and learning are always in, even when School Is Out.