On a mission to change the way teachers are treated in Africa, 12-year-old Chimamanda Yvonne Anyagwa wrote “Behind The Walls,” a fiction detailing the typical life of a teacher and what goes on in the classroom and within the school environment.
Chimamanda didn’t like the low level of respect accorded to teachers and decided to lead the change and stir positive conversations around them with her book.
Chimamanda, who loves the teaching profession so much, draws inspiration from her mother, Carol Anyagwa, who’s an English Literature lecturer at the University of Lagos.
Chimamanda, who grew up admiring the teaching profession soon discovered that teachers, despite their critical role in society, were not given the accolades they deserve in society.
Chimamanda started her draft of what’s now developed into “Behind The Walls” in 2018, at the tender age of 8. This mostly detailed her thoughts on the ill-treatment received by teachers from employers, pupils/students, parents, and society. Chimamanda’s writing also centred on how parents are more respected, revered and accepted by the school rather than the teachers who are legacy builders. The writer was even more concerned that teachers and academics, like her mother, who is well decorated academically might stop teaching if these situations persist.
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Now a 97-page book, Chimamanda’s “Behind The Walls,” was published by KT Publishers Limited in Nigeria. The book centres around teachers ‘ relationship between the school, their employers, pupils/students, parents and the environment.
As published by Bird, these were Chimamanda’s words:
“I wrote this book to teach Nigerians mostly how to treat teachers. It has other morals; it teaches us kindness, learning, and avoiding jealousy; it tells us that no matter how down you feel, you can still stand up.”
“Teachers should be given more attention; they should be appreciated because it’s a teacher who teaches others to become teachers; teachers also bring up other professions,” she further said.
Chimamanda, who’s a Junior Secondary Student at Maria Bellavenne Catholic College, is currently working on two other books. She hopes that she can create a positive change and lead conversations around the imbalances in society with her books.
Chimamanda loves writing and reading stories. She is inspired by books and hopes to inspire others with hers.