I qualified as a teacher two years ago and am now teaching in a township.

I qualified as a teacher two years ago and am now teaching in a township.

As a young boy, I was very interested in becoming a teacher for a number of reasons.

One, because I am an artist and saw many talents going to waste where there was no one who cared much about unearthing and nurturing these talents.

I have managed to come up with initiatives that create platforms for pupils to express themselves through arts and do whatever I can to bring art to the pupils at my school and other schools in the ghetto where I work.

But my worry is that as a teacher, who entered the field late, I do not qualify for a house loan. I don't even qualify to for an RDP house. This leaves me with no option, but to rent a back room.

I am very worried when we go on strike because we seem to be depriving pupils of the right to learn, but have no option.

How am I going to encourage my pupils to pursue a career in education when teachers have to fight every time they want an increase?

Teaching is said to be a profession, but today it does not attract pupils as a viable career. I ask President Mbeki to intervene. We can't afford to stay away for too many days.

Enock ShishengeJohannesburg