Teaching today

Today the leaders in the class rooms are not teachers. The real leaders are android cell phones, latest laps, and 'attitude.' 

There is a big generation gap between the students and senior teachers. They come from a generation that knew getting a good job was difficult. The students belong to a world that has generated jobs every where. 

There is not much difference between the young teachers and students. Both belong to the world of visual culture. They are away from books and closer to the latest technology. They know assignments can be given to students and students need not be 'taught.'

This is the city scene.

The rural students are still dependent on the teacher. But the young teachers know about internet and give 'assignments.' Teachers do not want to teach. 

The Sixth Pay Commission has created a complacency among the College teachers that 'going to the class room' is not a big deal any more. The teacher has become  'rich'. Money wants more money. 

The class room has students from mixed backgrounds and the teacher has two reactions: either he is scared of the students or he detests the students. 

Where are the teachers who could command the love and respect of teachers? When did teachers begin to move away from books - either in print or in electronic format? What happened to the hero-worshipping students? Where is education taking the teacher and the student?

When we recruit teachers who worship 'power' instead of the 'class room' these issues become solidified. When teachers love 'money' more than 'books' the solidified issues freeze for ever.

Teaching now attracts people who come for the money. They laugh at knowledge. 

A leading aided College took the students for an educational tour. All the male teachers who accompanied them were 'drunk.' Half the class consisted of girls. More interestingly, the teachers encouraged some boys also to get 'drunk'.

Should we introduce codes for teachers? Can we equate teachers with other professionals?

Great teachers are 'only' great teachers. They 'lack' other motives like 'power, money and status.'

Their true status is in the superb classes they handle in the class room. Their true merit is in the welfare of the students. If a teacher can guide his students on the right path his purpose of life is fulfilled. Society has to identify such teachers and put them in the class rooms.