The governments, voluntary organisations and govt and private schools will celebrate the Teacher’s Day on September 5. Celebration of Teacher’s Day has become ritual or formality of the education department since 1962. The thinker, philosopher and guide of the society Dr Radha Krishnan, ex-Vice President and President of India gave immense importance to education in the life of man. When the person gets honour in his lifetime and his good contributions for the society, people started celebrating his birth day. He himself expressed his desire – “If you people want to celebrate my birthday, celebrate the day as Teacher’s Day.”
For almost five and half decades the government and educational institutions are observing the day with enthusiasm. Programmes are organised from national level to every corner of country. Teachers are honoured. Some schemes are announced by the central and state governments to improve the conditions of teacher’s life.
The role of teachers in making the future of the society is also lauded. It is realised that the detoriation in the teaching and the role of teachers is taking place day-by-day. Let us examine the role and status of teachers in families of the students not only in schools. We examine their roles in schools only.
Teachers should not be confined to schools or in their classrooms only. It has been our tradition. They are present in every family from which the child comes to learn in school. This is not a matter of surprise. We all are aware of the fact that in every family parents of the students always talk of teachers. Parents are concerned with not only the teaching qualities of teacher, but their character also.Their behaviour with students and their quality to inculcate good behaviours and values in their life. Teachers and parents are very much closer through student’s diary and homework. Both the works of students give opportunities of daily dialogue between teachers and parents. Everyday parents, especially mothers check the diaries and help children to do their home works. During both the works parents discuss the teachers with their children. Parents come to know the whole character of teachers. Youngest students are keen observer of not only the behaviours but the sentiment and intention of the teacher. Kids have great honour for their teachers. They take their orders. Orders seriously and follow them. Same time students of KG or 1st standard are very much attached to their parents specially mothers. It is understood that this is the time when the seeds of good behaviours are sown in children. The role of both the factors, mothers and teachers are important and pertinent. Both have to see that while inculcating the good behaviours in children, both the idol of God (mother and teacher) should not be broken.
The mother should honour the teacher and vice versa. The teacher should always appreciate the parents and parents should show honour for the teachers. Because of the education from primary stage the healthy relation between parents and teachers is missing. The proper growth of children is disrupted. The purpose of education is ruined. The parents think that by paying handsome amount of money in school, they have purchased good education for their children. On the other hand management and teachers are concerned with the fees only.
Actually the aim of education is to build a man or woman to become a good family member. The man or woman should be first honoured in the family only. The recipients of honour in family will be honoured in society also. The first school is family. The teachers should not be confined to their classrooms. They should be present in houses of students also. A healthy relation between house and school should be brought by the initiatives of teachers and parents both. But the role of teacher is more important. He or she can sow the seeds of good behaviours in the families through children and make the family happier.
I believe that the students teach a lot to their teachers. As a principal of a school for eight years I learned a lot from my students, especially younger ones. The kids were very keen to listen to my words, but at the same time they were the good observer of my behaviours also. They tried to imitate body languages of teachers including mine also.
All the family members including servants are familiar with all teachers of the school through the students. They remember their names, nature and behaviour also. In my childhood I could see and feel the importance of our teachers in my family. They used to be honoured like a saint. They were above all the relations. Of course, the teachers are the part and parcel of family. Teacher used to come to our house frequently. They discussed our progress and used to give instructions to our parents also. They were the teachers of parents also. The problems of family and of the village were discussed with teachers of the village school.In those days education was for life not only for livelihood. Educating a child for living a good and happy life the family’s help was required. After all life had to be lived in family only. Now as the aim of education has changed, parents want to teach their children to earn more and more money. The teacher has also changed. The result is vivid. We cannot go back. While going ahead the society can remember the path and experiences of forefathers, which will facilitate in carrying the seeds of culture based on education. At the same time the requirement of the present and future should be the aim of the education. There are so many aspects of education. Parents-teachers relation is base of building education. The target of the teacher should be building healthy and happy family of course the students will be the tools.
(The author is Governor of Goa)
