“Instead of celebrating my birthday, it would be my proud privilege if 5 September is observed as Teachers’ Day.”
~ Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Celebrating Teachers’ Day – Unsung Heroes for Sure, Not Gods!
Teachers’ Day is celebrated on September 5th every year, coinciding with Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s birth anniversary. Dr. Radhakrishnan was a philosopher, scholar, first vice president, and the second President of India. He believed that education is the key to a progressive society and advocated for the importance of teachers in fostering intellectual and moral growth.
You must be thinking what’s new in this information we all know that. Yes, we all know that yet, we celebrate days to ensure that we don’t forget the contributions of such great human beings. Dr. Radhakrishnan and several other people like him. His achievements and contributions are inspiring to say the least.
However, certain things stand out. He was a philosopher by chance, he came from a humble financial background and his elder cousin gave him the philosophy books that decided his choice of subject – Philosophy. As if he was destined to be a great philosopher.
He was deeply engrossed in Vedanta and introduced the Spirit of Abheda, which means non-difference. He firmly believed that every individual should be seen as your equal, and should be treated with respect, not just as a means to an end. For him, Vedanta emphasized the importance of valuing human dignity and acknowledging every person as a fellow human being.
Incredible, right? It’s no surprise that he held the prestigious position of Vice Chancellor in multiple universities and received recognition both nationally and internationally.
Fun Fact: Did you know that Former Indian Cricketer V.V.S Laxman is the great-grandnephew of Dr. Radhakrishnan? Well, now you know it!
Teachers in India 2023
Let’s come back to the present times, 2023, and see how are doing in terms of education. In no way I’m saying that everything is bad, but something is seriously wrong when we look at recent news and stories. Let’s begin with a personal experience.
Cheating The Teaching Profession
My wife recently decided to teach grandkids of the security guard in our building. They have recently moved to the city and hence are finding it difficult to cope. Soon she found that the teacher at school was hardly being a teacher and saying things to kids that “Itni Salary mein itna hi padhaa sakte hain” (I can only teach so much when I don’t get paid well) She also disclosed her salary to kids, which wasn’t great. Yet, this can’t be an excuse for a teacher.
According to the kids, the teacher encouraged cheating during exams and even suggested using YouTube to find answers. We told the kids to ask questions if they were unsure about something. They followed our advice and asked questions, but the teacher didn’t seem pleased. She was upset that they sought help from someone other than YouTube. Instead of providing answers, she confiscated their notebooks as a form of reprimand.
Curious Case of Kota Factory (Modern-Day Education Hub)
We all know about Kota Factory, A TV Show about the colorless, boring, depressing aspect of students’ life in Kota, Hence the creators made it in black and white and gave an apt title “Kota Factory.” On Surface, it’s a comedy or satire but shows a true picture of Kota, a city that is considered an education hub, and students from all over India go there to prepare for Engineering and Medical Entrance Exams.
In this factory, students are cut off from home and the pressure is such that many end up committing suicide. To date, 23 cases of suicide have been reported this year. The recent being an aspirant who jumped from the 6th floor. A few days ago the administration instituted to installation spring loaded fans in hostel rooms to prevent students from committing suicide by hanging themselves. No, this isn’t a satire or a scene from a comedy movie. It’s real.
Psychiatrists and experts have been suggesting to keep an age limit for admissions, as the kids aged 15 to 16 aren’t ready to deal with such pressure. Everyone is to be blamed, be it the education system, teachers, parents, or authorities. However, isn’t this a primary failure of the teachers or people in academic professions?
Communal Teachers
Two more news surfaced created uproar and shocked a few (many may have decided to ignore it, after all, it’s negative news). In one a teacher asked kids to beat up a kid because he couldn’t do the multiplication correctly. A video was created by the kid’s uncle, where the teacher asks kids to come one by one and slap the boy who stands crying, humiliated, and scarred for life. In her defense teacher said she is differently abled and hence asked other kids to punish her. As per the folks in the village, it’s not unusual. It became news because the kid who was being made an example was from a specific community. Perhaps it’s not unusual at all.
of a private school in Khubbapur village under the Mansurpur police station area
to hit the hapless child. | Photo Credit: X Screengrab (News reported by The Hindu)
In the second news, a teacher beats a student because he had written a religious chant on the blackboard. In this case, the religious identities of the kid and teacher were opposite. People are busy defending or opposing both cases as per their convenience and understanding. In the second case teacher was arrested, In the first incident, no complaints from the parents because they didn’t want to complicate their lives further. The kid has been moved to a different school. As per recent reports, the school has been shut down by the administration.
Unacademy Fiasco – Freedom of Teaching
Not so long ago, a teacher from a major e-learning platform, lost his job, because of his video went viral, in which he asked students to vote for literate and educated leaders. So, they make better decisions rather than just changing the names of cities, places, and so on.
The debate was all over the place. However most agreed that he shouldn’t have been terminated for voicing his opinion and if teachers can’t speak their minds, how will they promote critical thinking among students? Unlike the communal angle, here the issue was more political. Something to think and ponder upon.
Teachers are humans, Not Gods!
In India, we tend to equate everyone with God, be it parents, teachers, elders, leaders, women, or celebrities. But this is flawed thinking because we all are humans and can make mistakes. These incidents also highlight the point that teachers are human after all. They have their biases like we all do. However, we need sane minds in such a noble profession.
As I mentioned in the beginning the intention is not to say that everything is wrong. We recently touched the moon’s surface and that shows our scientific temperament. However, we can’t deny that there are some serious changes needed when it comes to the education system.
The fact that Education has become a business now, is a cause of worry. It fails the fundamental right to education. There must be some balance, or else we will keep losing young lives in pursuits of so-called excellence.
“Teachers should be the best minds in the country.”
~ Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
In Conclusion
Teacher’s Day is more than just a date; it’s a celebration of those who shape the minds and futures of students. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s birthday, September 5th, reminds us of his legacy as a philosopher, scholar, and India’s second President who emphasized the importance of teachers. But beyond the celebration, we’re facing a reality check in the present day. With personal experiences and stories from the education landscape, it’s evident that the teaching profession is facing challenges. From teachers encouraging cheating to students facing overwhelming pressure, it’s time to reassess the role of educators.
Instances from the Kota to the unsettling incidents of communal bias among teachers highlight that the education system needs a rethink. The recent Unacademy fiasco also points to the debate around the freedom of teachers to express their opinions. As we celebrate Teachers’ Day, it’s essential to contemplate the evolving role of educators in a rapidly changing educational landscape.”
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