Despite initially facing challenges in the agricultural economics industry after obtaining a master’s degree, Mapuru Miya discovered her passion for education and found fulfilment in teaching. Now, she stands as a beacon of hope for the lives of young people as an agricultural science teacher.
All of her life, Miya was a big and passionate dreamer. She was filled with a positive outlook for the future and worked hard to achieve that. “Since I was young, I was passionate about agriculture. I remember when I was still young and we were seated in the dining room with my family, my father asked what I wanted to be,” she explains.
After high school, she pursued her tertiary studies at the University of Limpopo and completed it in 2011. However, she struggled to find a job in the agricultural industry but Miya did not back down. In 2013, she chose to become an agricultural science teacher to inspire young hearts and minds.
“When I got to teaching, I realised that I have the desire to make an impact through food production and food security, especially the marginalised communities,” she says.
She started teaching at a rural school in Limpopo and saw a gap to create a food garden. “Some learners used to come to school without eating and I thought perhaps the school needed a garden,” she says.
Making a move to the Eastern Cape
Miya wanted to expand her horizons and moved to East London in the Eastern Cape in 2018. Again she learned that there is an opportunity to teach and use the land at the school for a gardening project.
“I spoke to the principal and asked him what his plan was with the land because it was idle. He said if I want to use it, I can use it and he supported me on this journey,” she says.
The garden was launched in 2021 with the advantage of bringing practical education right to their doorstep.
Daily routine as a teacher
As an agricultural science teacher, her daily routine comprises preparing lessons, teaching, and finding innovative ways to teach her learners. “Our curriculum doesn’t entail practical experience in the garden, so we have to be creative. After going to the garden, I have extra classes with grade 12,” she explains.
After her daily school routine, Miya returns home and continues working on her personal development by pursuing her master’s in education. This is where she believes making a difference in her life can improve the lives of her learners.
No journey is easy without challenges
Challenges faced are finances and the support from the department of education. “The fact that the curriculum doesn’t accommodate gardening in agricultural sciences. However, through the support of her principal and science teacher colleague and the dedication of learners,” she says.
Miya’s advice is if anyone wants to pursue a career in. agriculture, you just need to find your passion and follow it:
- Be innovative with your methods of teaching.
- Try to teach with practical examples.
- Have patience working with learners.
- Adapt great conflict resolution.
- Always try your best.
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