World community needs to support educators, who dedicate their lives to the noble cause of teaching

Teaching is perhaps the most respectful and valuable of professions. In fact, in the Holy Quran, Prophet Muhammad introduces himself as a teacher, and teachers are regarded by Islam with profound respect and honour. Teachers have for long been the thread that lent a rich robustness to the fabric of life.

World Teachers Day, established in 1994 by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), is celebrated every year on October 5, to commemorate the anniversary of the 1966 International Labor Organisation (ILO)/UNESCO recommendation concerning the status of Teachers.

Establishing international standards for the teaching profession, the document set the benchmarks for teachers’ rights and conditions worldwide. This year’s theme for that day is “Empowering Educators: Strengthening Resilience, Building Sustainability.”

Over a hundred countries observe that tradition, although on different days. India has chosen September 5 to celebrate Teachers Day, coinciding with the celebration of the birth anniversary of legendary scholar, philosopher, teacher, and India’s second President, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Radhakrishnan, who believed that teachers create the future of a nation, is rightfully considered one of the greatest teachers the country has ever produced. As a Professor at Oxford University and, later, as the Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University and Banaras Hindu University, he shaped modern India’s philosophy and education.

The celebration reflects respect and gratitude for the calling of teaching and underscores the critical role played by teachers. The event is not merely another annual affair, but a global expression of appreciation, through thunderous applause for those who dedicate their lives to the noble cause of education, a reflection of the commitment of the international community to the Special Development Goals (SDG)s of the United Nations as, after all, there can be neither development nor its sustainability without quality education. The day, in a manner of speaking, is the day for the teachers to savour a place in the sun, an eloquent statement demonstrating their collective strength.

Many activities mark the celebrations, such as seminars, webinars, workshops where people from all walks of life across countries discuss challenges and solutions centering around the welfare of the teaching community. The celebrations are an occasion both for frank retrospection, as well as setting the stage for the future, an opportunity to provide concrete shape to the role which the world community needs to play to support educators, a resonant reverberation, in other words, of the larger truth, namely that the future of the world is sculpted by teachers.

The manner in which instruction should take place, the relationship between the teacher and the student, and the best definition of their respective roles, are matters that have engaged attention of experts for long.

For example, it is common experience that most teachers feel that their duties to pumping information and knowledge, leaving little room for learner’s to realise their potential. Which is probably why it has been said that education is a process of drawing out, rather than putting in, something which aims at identifying and building upon the innate talent and abilities which students possess, in order to enable and empower them to make optimum use of their natural prowess; to ensure that the learners become what they are created to be. The essential objective is to make life more meaningful rather than turning out robots. The important thing is to invert the teacher –taught .syndrome and make it learner – centric.

The history of the world is complete with narratives describing the qualities of great teachers. One of the earliest in the illustrious list of great teachers was the legendary Greek teacher philosopher, Diogenes of Sinope, known for his Spartan lifestyle, stinging wit and radical critiques of social conventions. His style of teaching was not traditional and embodied his philosophy of using an uncompromisingly simple and confrontational lifestyle, to expose societal hypocrisy and promote self-sufficiency and virtue.

On one occasion Alexander the Great, intrigued by what he had heard of Diogenes, visited the teacher when he was sun bathing. Alexander offered the great philosopher anything he desired. In a response typical of the great man, which showed the value of his philosophy that rejected authority, power, wealth and worldly ambition, Diogenes famously asked the world conqueror simply to “stand out of his light”! And Alexander said in admiration, “if I were not Alexander, I would want to be Diogenes!”

Among the greatest teachers the world has ever seen was Swami Vivekananda, who established the internationally renowned Ramakrishna Mission to spread education and spirituality. He was not only a great spiritual leader, but also one of the best teachers ever seen. His teachings on self – improvement and the importance of moral education continue to inspire students and teachers alike, even to this day.

A classic example from modern times is that of Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, the founder of Shanti Niketan and Vishwa Bharathi University.

He was a reformer of traditional education and went beyond textbooks, introducing art, nature, and creativity into the learning process, making it more enjoyable and engaging. His contribution as a teacher earned him a lasting reputation, for changing the education processes in the country.

Another example from more recent times is that of the much admired and revered Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the former President of India. Kalam taught in many prestigious institutions, such as the Indian Institute of Space, Science and Technology and was renowned for simplifying complex, scientific concepts making one of the greatest teachers of the country. His sessions also inspired several future generations of scientists and solidified his status as such.

From, the primary school days at Chennai, through middle school at Guntur, and subsequent college and university education thereafter, and even while preparing for the Civil Services Examinations, I have always benefited from the support and coaching offered by teachers, friends, and relatives.

Ramlingaiah teacher, who came to tutor me at home in Guntur when I was in middle school was one from whose instruction I benefitted substantially. However, he was, unfortunately, in the habit of giving me an intensely painful pinch on my thigh when he found my attention wavering!

During the crucial period of the last few years of school education, I remember how great teachers, of that Alma Mater of mine, All Saints High School in Hyderabad, put me through my last few steps in school education. Names, such as those of Frederick, Rama Murthy, Kunju, and Pathak spring mind in that context.

Another teacher, whom I will probably remember for the rest of my life, is the one who taught Telugu in Mahbub College High School, where I studied soon after reaching Hyderabad in 1955, who has the distinction of having been the only one in all my life who not only made me stand up on the bench during a class, but also gave me a resounding slap, for asking the reason therefor!

By, for the best teacher, I have ever had in my life, was easily my father who

singlehandedly undertook the responsibility of coaching me for the civil examinations,

teaching me political science, political thought, and English, apart from guiding me about how one should keep in touch with current events in the world.

I shared a forum with Dr. Kalam some years ago while I was a Member of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). I had known him fairly well, and, as we chatted, he asked, “Mohan, what are you doing these days”? I knew he was aware of my job, therefore, somewhat surprised, said “Sir, I am a Member of the NDMA”. “I know that”, he said impatiently, “but what are you doing”? Such was Kalam’s focus on concrete action vis-à-vis window-dressing!

(The writer was formerly Chief Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh)