By Quegas Mutale in Binga
Catholic teachers from schools in Binga were urged to be good stewards who love learners entrusted in their care. Fr. Joshua Del Barrio, the Judiciary Vicar of Hwange Diocese said this at a belated celebration of World Teachers Day by Catholic teachers at All Souls Mission in Binga on 8 October 2023 which ran under the theme “teaching is a calling”.
The teachers drawn from different educational institutions which include Binga High School, Musenampongo and Muchesu Secondary Schools and Binga, Donga, Damba, Manjolo, Samende Primary Schools celebrated their profession in a spirit of prayer and thanksgiving.
“Today Catholic teachers are celebrating their day. We pray for them to do their work well”, Fr. Del Barrio said.
“Internationally the day is celebrated on 5 October and teachers in Binga have decided to celebrate it today,” Mrs. Thulani Siakwenga, a member of St. Anne Association and a schools Inspector in Binga said.
Mrs. Siakwenga reminded teachers to reflect on their job and reminded them that teaching was a vocation that demands the virtue of uprightness.
She explained on the rigorous process, requirements and expectations that one goes through to become a teacher in Zimbabwe and urged Zimbabweans to support teachers as they go through hard times in their profession.
“We look for teachers, good teachers, not in terms of professional qualification. A good teacher does their work in a God fearing way and produces learners who are well groomed both intellectually and physically,” Fr. Del Barrio said.
He described a good teacher as one who leads by example and believes in God.
Fr. Del Barrio encouraged teachers to show love to children as parents. He stressed that when learners see a good teacher, they gain confidence and see love.
“We are all part of God’s vineyard. God gave us good seed, his word. Ask yourself if you are bearing good fruits. God is waiting for us to bear good fruits by doing what we believe in,” he said.
He castigated Christians in different professions who fail to do the needful but want money only.
“Today, God is waiting for us to bear good fruits through our work and life style. If we don’t bear good fruit, God will not hesitate to remove us from his vineyard,” Fr. Del Barrio added.
Fr. Del Barrio also asked Christians to pray for teachers so that they are strengthened in their mission to educate and enlighten society. The priest then blessed all teachers who attended attended mass that day. The celebration was graced by Binga District Schools Inspector, Mr. Edson Masungo.