In an exclusive interview with Gumzang FM 90.1 on the Beogey Tengmaalug Sohug program, Ms. Sophia Akumagoa Bawa, the 2026 Overall Best District Teacher, shared a poignant perspective on the rising challenge of alcoholism among educators.
Speaking on Wednesday, February 12, 2026, the Salvation Army JHS teacher argued that behind every struggling educator is a story of personal hardship, calling on authorities to replace judgment with professional counseling.
Reflecting on the struggles some of her colleagues face, Ms. Bawa noted that alcoholism is rarely a matter of choice. “In this life, they say where there is smoke, there is fire. Nobody wakes up wanting to be a drug addict or an alcoholic,” Bawa stated. “There are numerous factors contributing to why some teachers drink. Most of the time, it is not their willingness or their making.”
She highlighted that many teachers are currently overwhelmed by family pressures and personal crises but lack the resources to cope. According to Ms. Bawa, the barriers to recovery are often financial and logistical: Many teachers cannot afford private counseling fees and there is a lack of awareness regarding where to seek professional help.
Ms. Bawa explained that alcohol is often used as a misguided coping mechanism for deep-seated emotional pain.
“Their perception is that when they take alcohol, they forget their worries. But these worries keep eating them up, so they continue to drink,” she explained. She urged authorities to grant interviews and provide structured counseling to uncover the “real causes” of these behaviors rather than simply issuing reprimands.
The 2026 Best Teacher emphasized that the consequences of alcoholism extend far beyond the teacher’s personal life, directly impacting the next generation. Addiction inevitably lowers the standard of teaching and engagement students view teachers as role models; if a teacher drinks, a child may assume it is acceptable and vulnerable adolescents are particularly prone to mimicking these behaviors, leading to a societal crisis.
“If an adolescent starts taking alcohol, you can imagine what will happen to our society,” she warned. “The child will say, ‘My teacher is drinking, and if it wasn’t good, my teacher wouldn’t do it.'”
Closing her interview, Ms. Bawa offered a message of hope and a plea for resilience to her fellow educators. She reminded them that while life is never without challenges, alcohol is a “worsener,” not a solution.
“No matter the challenges you go through, do not turn to alcoholism. It will not stop the problem; it will only worsen it,” she advised. She encouraged those struggling to find trusted confidants in the community who can keep their secrets and help them navigate their way back to health.