The crucial role of a teacher in shaping young minds

“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.”   Albert Einstein

The idea of celebrating Teachers’ Day came into practice in most countries during the 20th century. The selection of the date was based on varied factors. But mostly it was followed to honour an eminent personality whose contribution to the field of education is immense. 

When Dr S Radhakrishnan became the President of India, his friends and students requested him to allow them to celebrate his birthday which is on September 5. He replied, “Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege, if September 5 is observed as Teachers' Day”. Our late Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, said “It is India's privilege to have a great philosopher, a great educationist and a great humanist as her President. That in itself shows the kind of men we honour and respect." 

Teachers have an influencing role in the life of every student. They are like beacons of light, guiding us in the formative years of our life. Teachers mould us and in the process shape our future. What we learn from our teachers remains with us, throughout our lives. However, very often, we fail to show our appreciation and gratitude for their altruistic devotion. Teachers do need encouragement and support from the community to feel that their efforts are being recognised. By celebrating National Teachers' Day, we thank our teachers for providing us their invaluable guidance.

Some students feel so inspired by their teachers that they themselves become teachers and try to give back to society what they themselves got from their teachers. Dr Nishikant Jha, a highly qualified teacher quotes a Chinese proverb to express his sentiments: ‘When someone/ shares something of/ value with you and/ you benefit from it,/ You have a moral/ obligation to share it/ with others too.' So, do your's! I have done mine. 

He says further, “Whatever I have learnt from my teachers I am sharing with my students... Actually I am thankful to my college professors who have always encouraged me for teaching... By giving me an opportunity to teach my classmates... Even in NSS camps as a leader,I taught municipal schoolchildren. From then onwards, I started teaching and today I am an UG & PG approved teacher at the University of Mumbai. I got the 'Best Commerce Author' award for my books written for commerce students and last month I got a D Litt from USA for my contributions in education and to society. All these wouldn’t have been possible if I myself was not inspired by my teachers.”

According to Dr Suhasini Arya, Principal of KG Mittal College, Malad, "The education system requires complete overhauling.  Every year on Teachers' Day, the government should announce a policy for the improvement of education and teaching standards. Public expenditure on education should be at least 5% of the GDP. In our Indian culture, teachers are considered above god. A teacher is considered a friend, philosopher and guide to students. But with the changing times, teachers have become just a means to complete the syllabus in exchange for a salary.  Commercialisation of education and the commercial attitudes of some teachers are responsible for the deterioration of education system today."

But it would be better to remember the great poet WB Yeats's words: “Education is not the filling of a pail but the lighting of a fire.”

The author is a freelance consultant