SHEIKH SHABIR KULGAMI
Have you eaten an omelette? “No, sir”, came the reply. Seen it? ‘No’. Heard what is it made of? Of rice, the brother and sister, reading in the third primary answered, when the word “omelet” was read during a lesson delivery by this author of the subject English. These siblings belong to a poor tribal family. Thousands of children –like the two in question– from the poor economic background attend schools for education. Why? Obviously to beat poverty. But it is only a smooth access to quality learning that can level the field and minimize the poor—rich gap, to say the least.
Getting quality education, practically speaking, banks on the family income. The children from the low-income families find themselves at the receiving end when it comes to access better education. These children happen to study in multi-grade classrooms or on school verandas; plus, most of their teachers’ working style reeks of demotivation, incompetence, intolerance and shoddy practices as to the teaching -learning process.
But it does not suggest that all public education schools are falling short of competent and/ or sympathetic teaching hands or of satisfactory infrastructure facilities; neither are all private schools imparting quality education. In the private / profit sector, quality revolves around tuition fee. High-fee private schools do provide excellent education, but plenty of the private schools (despite taking high fee) impart poor quality education.
A bitter pill to swallow — we find it hard enough to get good candidates into teaching profession. Quality of learning definitely relies on many factors. But teacher quality and efforts largely impact the quality of education. Selecting teachers on the basis of grades or written tests is debatable. The teachers of the best quality can be produced through a four/ five-year highly competitive professional course.
Notably it is quality education which not only steers mankind out of darkness but also promotes intellectual growth leading to both individual and social upliftment. And most importantly, the noblest work of education can never be carried to the shores of progress and prosperity unless teachers, the gatekeepers of education, do not get the much-needed respect and recognition in society — and state as well. Gone are the days when school teaching was seen as one of the esteemed and venerated jobs (and the teachers were seen as respectable citizens). But that regard is lost largely due to the policies of some unsympathetic governments.
Though teaching profession is challenging, the energy to handle it is often in short supply. Sometimes, a little motivation is required to remind yourself that you are a teacher and that your efforts are important and significant. True, even the best teacher needs a little extra push every now and then. At educational institutions, teachers face disrespect, misbehavior and lack of motivation or passion from students which, however, does not break the morale and enthusiasm of teachers; they see the light at the end of the tunnel and lead from the front. That it is teachers who inspire students to learn wherever life may take them, besides enable them to discover their interests, passions and themselves in the long run, is undeniable. Agreed that some teachers are selfish. These law breaking teachers manage to escape the legal eye — ostensibly through unfair means.
Though the department of education has appreciably taken a solemn stand against [private] coaching by government teachers, yet some employees— particularly teachers from school and higher education— are indulging in the illegal and invisible practice through the breach of the law! This brazen violation of the law strongly hits school education apart from giving birth to economic and social inequalities .That, among other factors, in turn opens the door for social insecurities .By teachers ‘ sincere efforts , the innocence and ignorance of learners blooms into an evergreen tree which bears healthy fruit for the entire society and humanity.
Pertinently observing teachers’ day every year is not only an honour to teachers but also an irrefutable evidence that they are an asset of society. And their selfless services can never be forgotten or belittled. Yes, a handful of teachers loaf around, using their influence and affluence to get their way. Duty they leave aside. These foul- playing teachers have cultivated a good friend circle in offices that empowers them to abuse the system. Moreover, we have seen several instances of teachers living in miserable conditions: they are denied their property share for decades by parents, are thrown out of the house and their spouses are oppressed and abused. This situation harms their mental health and consequently their work at schools. A worrisome scenario. And it is betrayal and akin to backstabbing when teachers are treated discourteously and divided into good and bad ones ironically on the basis of the category of their posts or on pay grade.
A particular but major section of school teachers is suffering from stereotyping and marginalization. Yet, these less-fortunate teachers (though 70% of them were highly qualified before their recruitment) are giving their hundred percent—both in academic and non-academic work—whether at the elementary or secondary schools. All teaching officials should be treated equally if they are to shoulder school education without going on a collision course; yes, there are a few bad apples whose services burn bridges and bring loss to society. These teachers need refinement and direction.
For attracting better brains into teaching profession, there is a need to raise it to the status of a profession known for privileges, respect and recognition. School development, infrastructure facilities and school management are paramount. Not less important are quality teachers to salvage the tarnishing image of public education and to — uplift the disadvantaged sections through quality learning.
(Author is RK Columnist and Teacher by Profession. Feedback: [email protected])
