Shahid Abdi
Lucknow: 5th September, the day dedicated to teachers, is now losing its real meaning. Respect and honour for teachers is now limited to formal award ceremonies where instead of encouraging them, they are demoralised by giving them advice.
This trend not only hurts teachers but also the dignity of education in society.
Talk of quality by taking non-teaching work from teachers throughout the year seems meaningless and honouring them for one day as a penance is like killing snakes as soon as you see them but worshipping them on the day of Nag Panchami.
Teachers will also have to get out of this trend that I am an excellent teacher, honour me. Because no student ever says that Sir, honour me, I have scored so many marks or gained so much knowledge. It is his teacher who evaluates him and then he is honoured/rewarded. But the irony is that the teacher himself goes for the interview after preparing his file and tells that I shot this arrow, I shot that arrow! This is actually a very bad thing for a self-respecting teacher to do.
We all need to understand that Teachers’ Day should not be just a formality. It is a day to honour the dedication, sacrifice and knowledge of our teachers. We must ensure that this day is celebrated as a rousing and inspiring event where teachers get the respect they deserve.
