Education needs more Teachers in campuses

Today, we celebrate the 136th birth anniversary of the second President of India, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a philosopher, statesman and educator. He was a remarkable person who believed in the power of education and the role of teachers in shaping our lives. He believed that teachers played an important role in shaping the future of students.

It is noted that when he became the President, some of his students requested him to allow them to celebrate his birthday on September 5. The great scholar replied, "Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if September 5th is observed as Teachers' Day." Hence September 5 is celebrated as Teacher’s Day in India.

As part of the celebrations today across the country, from the Centre to the State governments, districts, panchayats and municipalities and schools, there will be felicitation programmes and award ceremonies for teachers - some of them who have dedicated their entire life to teaching and nurturing students.

However, the noble profession has become a victim of the problem of unemployment and underemployment. And sadly, it is come to light that those able to pay the price for the position are able to get a job in the teaching fraternity. There is a huge gap between demand and supply of teachers. This is a problem created by short staffing by the authorities, especially the government, which is primarily responsible for the education of the masses.

On this day, it is important to look at the conditions of the teachers and the conditions in which the teaching fraternity is held accountable and responsible. The 21st-century, especially post-Covid-19, has become the most testing time for teachers.

According to a report published in December last year, at the national level, there were more than 8.4 lakh teaching positions vacant in government schools, of which 7.2 lakh were in the primary education sector alone and 1.2 lakh in the secondary education sector. That shows how concerned we are about the education of our children. Teachers' appointments have been put on a back burner.

In Goa, in July last year, the government had admitted that nearly 300 primary teachers’ positions had been vacant and the number for secondary and college is similar. In the SCERT and DIET nearly 70% of the faculty positions were vacant, and this is the trend across the board in the teaching fraternity.

Very often teachers are recruited on lecture basis or at the most on contract of 6 months to a maximum of one year. The renewal of the contract is at the discretion of the government’s and management’s goodwill. After every year or two, the teacher will have to hunt for a new job in some other school. This has become a routine for a large number of women teachers.

With the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), it is expected that the teachers dedicate more hours towards fulfilling their duty of imparting knowledge. But with the crunch of limited human resources, most of the teachers are forced to double up on their assignments including administrative assignments from the government. In most cases, the pressure of completing the syllabus and content from the textbooks very often has an adverse effect on quality.

In recent times, the State has come across several cases of either corporal punishment or physical abuse of the students. It is not as if the teachers are not aware that corporal punishment and physical harm are illegal and can land them behind bars and produce no benefit either for the teacher or the student. However, the pressure that most of these teachers go through needs to be addressed. Therefore, the large lacuna in the teaching positions and recruitment needs to be filled. And for this to happen, the government needs to undertake an overall review and bring in needed changes.

Firstly, ensure that in the world of specialisation, a teacher is demanded and expected to teach one subject of specialisation. Secondly, organise refresher courses so that the teachers keep themselves updated, and thirdly, teachers are human beings too and therefore need counselling and therapy sessions.

As Dr Radhakrishnan saw the significance of education and the role of teachers in nurturing young minds, it is important the government of the day prepares a long-term vision where children not just come to the school campus, but also the teachers are available in equal numbers to be able to cater to the students.

On this Teachers' Day, beyond words, let the government commit itself to sanctioning the needed number of teachers in every school and campus, and change the face of education and teaching in the State.