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After reading an article written by Sandra Nansamba an expert with Prime Educational Consult entitled "Who Is To Blame When Students Fail To Learn?", I became curious about what the pupils in my class think about the same. 

The following morning I went to class and I told my students that there are three parties involved in the process of teaching and learning and each of one these has a role they play towards the success of every student in class. 

Then I asked them a question: "Who of these three takes the blame for the student’s failure to learn?"

Melissa, one of the students stood up and boldly said 'the teacher is to blame'. I was greatly surprised by her opinion. 

I asked Mellisa why in her opinion she thinks that the teacher is to be largely blamed for the student’s failure to learn. 

Here is what she said to me:

"My presence in class is a clear indicator that the parent did his or her role of bringing me to school and I have done my part of presenting myself in class for the lesson. All that is left is for the teacher to teach me. Teachers do not only prepare what they want to teach us, but also organize the environment in which they want us to learn. They teach us using the methods and resources they deem appropriate and decide whatever they want us to do during the lesson without necessarily consulting with us. At times, there is something we already know about what they have come to teach but they ignore that fact as well. Consequently, they end up either confusing or boring us throughout their lessons. Some of them teach what we already know and in a very poor way than we were taught before causing us to lose interest in their lessons. But because they are teachers, we have no choice but to remain silent and at times passive in class because we feel there is something else we would like you to teach us instead of repeating what we already know. It does not only make us feel bored but it is a waste of our learning time. That's why in my opinion, teachers should largely be blamed for our failure to learn." She concluded. 

Hardly had Melissa concluded when I saw the students talking in whispers to one another at their desks. I was compelled to ask Matthew one of the brightest pupils in my class for his opinion on the issue. 

In his statement, Matthew said; “Besides what Melissa has said, many times teachers tell us what they don't want us to do or what is not right for us instead of telling us what is right or what we should do and how we should do it."

After listening to these two students, I put down the piece of chalk I was holding in my hand and until now, I have yet come up with an appropriate response to give to the class. 

I also wonder what you would do or tell the class if you faced this kind of scenario! 

There is a lot that your students wish you knew about you or your teaching but they neither have the courage nor opportunity to say it to you. 

If you care about your students and your teaching, create an opportunity for them to speak their opinion. You will thank me later