Published on March 21. 2012
Time was when ‘Acharya Devo Bhava' - treat your teacher as you would treat God – was the innate philosophy. Educational institutions were revered as temples of learning and teachers literally worshipped for their esteemed role in imparting knowledge.
A far cry from today's defiant times where students care two hoots about respect for authority. Educational institutions have jumped on the commercial bandwagon and are big money-spinning machines, nothing more! The irony here is that quality education is still reckoned invaluable; yet the means of acquiring the same are treated with much contemptuous disrespect.
And the damaging consequences are more than apparent for all to see. The focus is on marks and toppers, never actual learning or knowledge. Zero interest in studies, deteriorating moral and ethical values, apathy, bad behaviour, ineptitude and waning motivation spell the sign of the times.
And who's to blame? Teachers are constantly getting the short-shrift what with educational institutions charging them to finish curriculum quickly and garner top results on the one hand and parents deeming them as paid hands to serve their children! This audacious attitude is bound to rub off on the impressionable students who start failing to follow rules and directions.
Education in a crisis
Teaching was never easy, now the erstwhile ‘noble profession' has been reduced to a thankless job as well! Let's pause a moment and reflect on the passionate - yet hapless - teacher who is imperceptibly lost in the shuffle and emerges as the miserable victim of the entire affair. The smouldering fervour to not just teach but educate, mould students the right way and shape the minds of the future goes largely unrequited. The sad part of being a good teacher today is that while professional satisfaction remains an elusive dream, they end up feeling utterly helpless and dejected. As the Director of A.G and S.G.S. Junior College, Vuyyuru laments, “As a passionate teacher, if I am not allowed to take appropriate action, I feel defeated and failed to do justice to both my job and profession!”
Teachers' professional status and value is constantly undermined by both parents and administrators. Their hands are allegorically tied due to lack of management support and they are unable to take appropriate action against disruptive/undisciplined students, cutting away their effectiveness even more. Rajeev Ranjan, Assistant Professor, Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Indus World School of Business rues further, “Its the attitude of parents more than the student that acts as an obstacle to discipline students!”
Reinventing the wheel
The teaching community has to take the lead with conscious efforts to win back the respect and recognition they so richly deserve. Making the classes more interesting and engaging is a step in the right direction. Teaching styles should be adapted to students' learning patterns and preferences and be discussion-based or other creative approaches to kindle a true love for learning.
Subtle disciplinary steps are bound to raise cooperation and keep disobedience in check. As the Director continues, “Based on the situation prevailing in the classroom, I try to implement my own methods to correct the students. I cite various examples related to discipline, values and importance of studies which may help them to change their attitude and divert their attention back to studies.”
Befriending students and maintaining frequent interactions will also help create a sense of community and instil deep respect and trust not just as a teacher but also as a friend, philosopher and guide. Mr. Ranjan elaborates, “Teachers should be more like the facilitators of information- seeking and exploration by students. With an element of mentoring/life coach thrown into the equation, the relationship goes beyond the in-class interaction.”
While teachers should learn to be more assertive with the management, educational institutions in turn should stop being presumptuous and empower/support teachers to lead with innovative policy initiatives. The administration should become more accountable and interact well with staff and students. Parents need to stop the blame game and synthesise their efforts with the teachers. Good education begins at home and it is imperative that parents set a good example and behave responsibly. To sum up, young minds are still receptive and can be moulded with quality teaching. Inculcating respect is the key – respect for each other, respect for the teacher and above all, respect for learning. The result will be caring and motivated students with a fiery desire to learn!
Payal Chanania
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-opportunities/article3018525.ece 
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