Teacher’s Day is a wonderful opportunity for all the students to appreciate the hard work and efforts put in by their gurus

COVID-19 has forced schools and universities across India, and the world, to suspend face-to-face teaching and move to online classes. This transition to online teaching and learning is challenging for most organisations, students and teachers alike as academic institutions across the world have cancelled all on-campus activities that made the experience of learning memorable and meaningful. Hence, celebrating Teachers’ Day this year will not be the same as it used to be in the past. Irrespective of religious beliefs, Teachers’ Day is celebrated across the world, albeit on different days. This is because, no matter what society one belongs to, we all have grown up with the realisation that we must always show respect to the teachers who made us as we are. Right from becoming a good human being to a civilised citizen of the country.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) started observing Teachers’ Day on October 5, 1994 as it commemorates the anniversary of the adoption of the 1966  International Labour Organisation (ILO)-UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. This recommendation sets benchmarks regarding the rights and responsibilities of teachers and standards for their initial preparation and further education, recruitment, employment, teaching and learning conditions.

However, in India it is celebrated on September 5 to mark the birth anniversary of Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was a teacher par excellence. When he became the President of India in 1962, his students and friends sought permission to celebrate his birthday. However, Dr  Radhakrishnan politely requested them to celebrate his birthday as a day dedicated to all the teachers in the country.

The former President of India, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, once said, “Teaching is a very noble profession that shapes the character, calibre and future of an individual. If the people remember me as a good teacher that will be the biggest honour for me.”

A teacher, who may give us a piece of advice and the lessons of a lifetime, is always considered a highly honoured person in every community.

In India, the teacher-student relationship has a special religious and social bond and significance. Since ages, the story of Eklavya has come to define exemplary discipleship. This story is an example of dedication, hard work, obedience and paying the guru his due. This also shows that acquiring or gaining knowledge is not possible without the teachings and blessings of the guru. In ancient times, a common practice in learning was guru-dakshina, where a student would offer a gift or fee for the knowledge gained by him. Actually, Dronacharya blessed Eklavya with immortality by asking him for his thumb because whenever people think of an ideal student and devotion to a teacher, they think of Eklavya and not Arjuna.

A teacher has a very high status and is given a lot of importance in Islam. There is a famous saying of Hazrat Ali in which he said that “if a person teaches me one single word, he has made me his servant for a lifetime.” Teachers always play a prominent role in influencing and inspiring students. In our society, parents are responsible for giving their children quality care. However, teachers are responsible for honing their skills and making their future bright and successful.

They are a source of inspiration to students as they prepare the latter to face any challenge with confidence and commitment. With enormous understanding of the subject matter and with deep knowledge and wisdom, they always nourish the lives of their students.

Keeping the importance of the teacher-student relationship in mind, Tariq Mansoor, who himself is a professor and the Vice-Chancellor of the historic Aligarh Muslim University, says, “Teachers are the backbone of any academic institution and always play a very big role in shaping the lives and careers of students.” This is a fact as our foundational education completely depends on the guidance we get.

Teachers’ Day is a wonderful opportunity for all students to appreciate the hard work and efforts put in by teachers in grooming and shaping their life in a meaningful way. The most difficult and challenging part for a teacher is to balance the class where students come from different economic, social, religious, linguistic and cultural backgrounds. But each one still does it, day after day. 

Teaching is one of the most respected and valued professions in the world and an educator continues to be a respected person in society. Let’s remember ours, wherever they are, especially for preparing us to be resilient in these pandemic times.

(The writer is the Chairperson, Department of Linguistics at Aligarh Muslim University.)