TEACHERS DAY-2012

TEACHERS DAY-2012

Teachers' Day is celebrated every year on September 5 in India so as to commemorate the birth of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishan, the second President of the nation. Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakhrishnan was a philosopher and a great teacher whose contribution toward the Indian education system is undeniable. Come teachers day and mostly students are compelled to carry the placards/banners which read as: ‘Happy Teachers’ Day’, but as a matter of fact, nobody is ‘happy’ with teaching community these days! The best way to celebrate the day is that teachers realize their responsibilities and be committed to impart quality education to the learners. In the present milieu where quantification is at its peak, we need a quality human resource for achieving desired objectives. Teachers are the architects of human resource. Allah has created all the existing known and unknown (to man) knowledge in the universe. Teacher has been assigned the responsibility to impart a fraction of known existing knowledge so that the learner can recognise his Lord and there will be no chaos and ambiguity in the sustenance of the life on earth.

The teachers at all levels should also provide moral education to their students besides academics because teachers are the backbone of our society. Teacher sans moral virtues is equivalent to an illiterate and aggressive person who is useless for the society. Teaching should not only be considered as a means of discharging the duties but as a moral responsibility. There is a delicate relationship between a student and a teacher (at all levels ranging from Primary School to University). 
However, in the present times, this pious relationship has been perturbed to a great extent. Day in and day out, newspapers carry the reports of involvement of teachers in wrongdoings which are shocking with regard to their profession. This is unfortunate on behalf of a teacher. The need of the hour is to restore this harmonious relationship and in this way a teacher will automatically regain his status in the society. A teacher has potential to change the destiny of a nation (towards betterment). The teachers must be models of faith and piety. In co-educational institutions responsibilities of teachers multiply. Efforts should be made in order to flourish good character among the students because good character is a pre-requisite for a sound personality.A teacher himself should first follow a role model and then become the same for learners. Teachers should dedicate themselves to their job to such an extent that society perceives a great regard for teacher rather than knowing their identity just as a ‘masterji’. Once a candidate is recruited as teacher, it seems as if all the shadows of lethargy have covered him/her. Then he begins to learn about the statistics of wages and unfortunately the real entity (i.e., pupil) is being ignored. Despite a sound infrastructure and qualified staff, government schools continue to be traditionally known as inferior. We need to explore the reasons as to why there is no improvement in the quality education in government run schools. In spite of being paid a handsome salary, the government teacher is not able to bring any substantial change in education sector. There should be scope for teacher training in the form of teacher refreshment courses. In our valley, the ideal time/season for such courses may be during winter vacations when teachers remain idle or engage themselves in note-reading in private tuition cum business centres. There should be a scope for inter-state (international, if possible) teacher interactions at various levels so that a teacher may be able to broaden his mental horizon and develop a broad vision.Banning winter tuitions won’t do, but limiting the ways that compel the students to rush to these roadside vendors will bring about a change. In the current era of Information Technology, a good teacher must also be computer literate so that (s)he can be able to get acquainted with the latest pedagogies and ongoing revolutionary changes in the world in the form of knowledge explosion. Besides, usage of non-conventional teaching aids (like Power Point Presentation) could be attained and encouraged in this manner.

If we are able to catch the excellence and groom the students’ personality at an earlier stage, may be in future our people may no longer have to face the menace of corruption and uncertainty. I believe, incase our nation has to get rid of the current social evils; education is the only best possible medium for achieving the desired goal. And teachers are at the real interface of this medium. The selection procedure including eligibility criteria for teachers should be revised keeping in view the changing trends in the standards of education. Recently the government of J&K has decided to introduce a written test for selection of fresh teachers which is a good step in this regard. The grievances of teachers (if any) should be addressed by the government so as to ensure desirable changes at the grassroots level. UNESCO’s recent recommendations can’t modify the Educational Setup of J&K unless State Govt. itself takes effective steps to overhaul the department. In this regard, again, teachers have to play the central role. Govt. Employees in general and teachers in particular, should not consider their respective workplaces just as points of drawing salary from govt. exchequer, rather they must serve the people in real sense and deliver above their personal benefits. Whether September 5 or not, every day is teachers’ day in case they consider teaching as a means of worship.Teachers' Day is celebrated in every school and college in India. A wide range of activities are performed on this special occasion. Right from gifts, flowers, and a note of appreciation to planning a Teachers' Day party, you can do everything to show how much you appreciate all that your teachers have done for you. Below, you will find ideas on how to celebrate Teachers' Day 2012. Governor has extended heartiest greetings and best wishes to the people of the State and specially to the teacher's community on the occasion of Teachers' Day 2012 .Recalling that Gurus played a pivotal role in shaping the character of their shishyas and shishyas had high regard for moral values in ancient Gurukula system, Governor observed that the accent on moral values has unfortunately been erodinggradually.
The teacher's community, besides educating the students, should strive to sensitise the young minds to the moral values and the students on their part should devote themselves to their studies so as to shoulder the responsibilities to be reposed on them by society in due course, the Governor said in his greeting message.

"Together, they should earnestly nurture their respective institutions into a temple of excellence of learning and also make the task of Nation building the central agenda of their activities," the message read while wishing the celebration a success.

Prof. John Kurakar