By Rayees Ahmad Kumar
We cannot imagine the building of any community or society without a teacher. Back during World War II, when Hitler was told that great men of the nation were being killed, Hitler replied, “By any means save the teachers, the nation will be rebuilt.” A teacher is really called the architect of the nation because all the sectors of the society are built by the teacher. Almost 1.24 lac prophets were sent by almighty Allah the supreme creator of the universe for humanity, all of them have been sent as teachers. The Prophet of Islam saw himself has said “I have been sent as a teacher”. This clearly shows that the teacher’s profession is indeed a prophetic profession and the responsibility of the service or work that was the responsibility of the prophets in the past is now placed on the shoulders of the nation’s teachers. But the question is whether today’s teachers perform their duties properly and modern day society or community gives the teacher the respect and honour he deserves as he was getting in the past. If we take a closer look, we are compelled to agree that today’s teachers are neglecting to perform their duties satisfactorily and the teacher is not getting the respect and honour that he would get a couple of decades ago. But let’s see what are the reasons for all these things. Although the teachers of the previous era were less educated and did not possess any modern technology, but still they were getting the respect that a teacher deserves in the society. The main reason for this was that teachers considered their work as worship. Despite the low salary, they performed their duties with fear of God. Even after covering a distance of ten to fifteen kilometers, they never reached their duties late. They used to equip the children with education like their own children with heart and soul, the result was that those children were successful in life and the teachers got the dignity and respect they deserved. Not only the curriculum, but in the past teachers played a key role in shaping the morals of children. In the morning, after the prayer a teacher among the staff members used to give moral lecture for 15 to 20 minutes and played an important role in shaping the all-round personality of the children. Those teachers who are alive today are the heartbeat of their students even after their retirement. Even today, their students give them the honour and status that they used to give them when they were studying in schools. The main reason for this was that despite having less knowledge and less resources, they did their work selflessly. There was a sacred and strong relationship between a teacher and the students, the example of which was not only difficult but impossible to find. But what is the reason that the same teacher could not get the same dignity and respect today, nor does today’s society see a teacher with the same eyes as he was seen in the past. Today’s society respects a patwari, VLW and a policeman more than a teacher because they get help and services from them which are not possible from a teacher. The second major reason is that the teacher himself has lost his position and status in the society due to his negligence and laziness. Be it the disappointing board results at the end of the academic year or the dwindling roll of children in the school, a teacher is held responsible by all sections of the society and even the government administration. A teacher is also held responsible for the growing misbehaviour and deteriorating moral values among today’s children, although not only a teacher is responsible for all these things, but the parents of the children and all the people of the society.
In our country every year on September 5, Teachers’ Day is celebrated to encourage teachers. This day is celebrated on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, former President of the country and an eminent educationist. Teachers are rewarded for their exceptional work. One teacher from each state and union territory of the country is awarded for their good performances. This year, Javed Ahmed Rather, Principal Government Boys Higher Secondary School Baramulla from Jammu and Kashmir has been selected for this award. All these teachers will be encouraged and rewarded by the President of the country, Draupadi Murmu Sahiba, during a grand ceremony to be held in Delhi.
Therefore, it is quite ridiculous and makes no sense to keep a day reserved for teacher’s appreciation when he isn’t given the due respect and consideration by the society. Thanks to the teachers, who shape the future of our children and build all other professionals through their blood and hardwork.It is a teacher who illuminates the lives of students. These teachers influence students passionately and leave a long lasting impact on the lifestyle of students. From a simple peon to the Prime Minister of the country, all the officials are also created by a teacher. If your aim is to put the deteriorating society on the right path, then it is far-fetched to have such an expectation without the support of a teacher, it will prove to be fruitless. Therefore, we should fully value our teachers and give them due honour and respect in the society which they used to get in the past.
Rayees Ahmad Kumar is a columnist and hails from Qazigund Kashmir.
