By Navhind Times

Copyright navhindtimes

As a profession that creates all other professions, teachers don’t just teach lessons, they awaken the joy of learning, inspiring dreams and fostering confidence

Teacher’ Day is a special day for the appreciation of teachers! Ten meritorious teachers who have done exemplary work in the field of education were awarded the ‘CM Vashistha Guru Puruskar 2024-25’ on the 63rd Teachers’ Day celebration held on September 5 at Kala Academy, Panaji.

As much as the award is an honour bestowed upon them for their laudable work, it is the rightful recognition of years of hard work and sacrifice that has gone into moulding the careers of their students and making the society that much richer with the presence of upright and honourable members in its midst.

But when these honours become more of a perfunctory ‘ritual’ rather than a genuine attempt to acknowledge their contributions in the life of their students, the ‘recognitions’ tend to reduce their dedication to a superficial gesture instead of offering the teachers authentic gratitude and reinforcing their value.

The need is to recognise the daily efforts, passion and dedication of teachers in shaping the lives of students. By affirming the profession’s crucial role in society and encouraging continued dedication, efforts must be made to reinforce the importance of the teaching profession. As a profession that creates all other professions, teachers don’t just teach lessons; they awaken the joy of learning, inspiring dreams and fostering confidence.

Students the world over owe gratitude to their teachers for believing in them, even during moments of self-doubt. Their passion for teaching continues to ignite curiosity and inspire greatness in their students. For many students, the patience and dedication of their teachers have rendered learning an enjoyable experience, profoundly shaping the person they are today.

My classmate and friend who is now a Canadian citizen and holds an Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card is so indebted to a trio of teachers from the college from where he graduated for giving a direction to his messy life that he makes it a point to meet them whenever in Goa and spend an evening out with them.

Education involves cultivating character, fostering ethical principles and developing the capacity for critical thought, alongside the acquisition of knowledge and skills.

Teachers are powerful influencers and attempts to trivialise their significant role in empowering students and shaping society would amount to a cardinal sin. However, the erosion of respect for teachers is a phenomenon that has come to plague the education system in modern times.

It is observed that modern societal norms and increased parental and student autonomy have diminished the traditional authority of teachers. The current trend where there is marked emphasis on achieving good marks rather than developing good moral values has undermined the teacher’s role in character-building.

It is amusing to hear that the ‘assessment of teachers by their students’ is a common practice among many educational institutions these days, serving as a mechanism for both, student feedback and institutional improvement!

The perception of education too has drastically changed. The shift from a perceived noble mission to a practical job, potentially influenced by increased public access to higher education and the resulting diminished status of a teacher’s exclusive knowledge reflects a contemporary view of the teaching profession these days. To add to the woes, the phenomenon of ‘shadow education’ has commercialised the whole process of teaching.

At a time when the country’s educational landscape is undergoing major transformations, it becomes pertinent to understand the role of teachers in an environment where their students are grappling with infinite challenges.

Children these days are increasingly exhibiting violent traits, sinking into depression and falling prey to a series of psychological disorders. Teachers play a crucial role in both, supporting students’ mental health and maintaining their academic focus, as these two aspects are interconnected.

Their roles now extend far beyond their classrooms. As a multifaceted guide and mentor, they have to transform lives, steer the youth away from perilous paths and at the same time inspire a generation to strive for excellence.

As an onerous task that entails the need for incorporating various mentoring skills besides their conventional roles as dispensers of knowledge, teachers are today the beacons of hope for the vast army of youngsters who depend on their teachers to mould and bring out the best in them.

The current educational scenario demands that teachers embrace their role as champions of change. I know of a headmistress in one of the schools here who, in her earlier stint at another village school, was credited with bringing about appreciable and remarkable changes in the performance of that school both, academically and in extra-curricular activities.

Likewise, there have been umpteen examples of educators in Goa who have simplified teaching by making complex subjects accessible through easy-to-grasp lessons. “Education is the foundation of our societal growth, illuminating the path to knowledge, enlightenment and success” (Aaron Gray). And those imparting it shape future generations!

I sincerely feel that no honour is enough to honour teachers! True honour lies in internalising and applying their teachings, demonstrating genuine gratitude through respectful behaviour and living a successful life as a testament to their effort.

(Pachu Menon is a senior columnist and author based in Goa.)