For the past eight months, I’ve witnessed numerous conversations about how we intend to raise the bar of
education and how we fail badly due to the lack of responsibility and dedication from teachers. In different
workshops, discussions and meetings we very casually and sometimes mockingly label teacher to be incapable,
indifferent and even deceitful. Ironically in the same gatherings we also convey to the audience how we should
inculcate the value of respect among students. With this prevailing mindset we want our teachers to be role
models and our children to believe that teachers are superheroes!
I cannot deny the reality at the ground level either. here indeed is a huge gap between expectation and
delivery. But one very evident fact we fail to realise is that by measuring, mentoring, motivating we are NOT
addressing the root cause of the problem. It’s just like we are pruning and treating the branches and leaves of
a tree whose roots and trunk is being eaten by termites!
A renowned scholar had once explained the reason behind the attitude of Bani Israel. They witnessed
miracles
like the splitting of the sea when they had no escape, and the most brutal of enemies was chasing them to their
destruction or when Allah sent down Mann o Salwa from the skies to satiate their hunger … miracles that can
completely break all shackles of disbelief, fill every cell in the human body with the belief in the Almighty.
Despite this the Bani Israel were reluctant in following Allah’s commands, many a time falling back to their old
ways. They proved to be the most challenging group of followers any prophet had. What could be the reason behind
their attitude? Was it lack of understanding or where they just extremely stubborn? They could not be blamed
entirely for their behaviour….the culprit was years and years of oppression they faced under the rule of Firaun.
Generations of Bani Israel had seen the most difficult situations of fear, injustice and struggles in the face
of adversity. These experiences and their learning had shaped the attitude and behaviour of Bani Israel.
How would you describe the struggles of a common man belonging to the lower-income group? Take a minute to
ponder on how lies, fraud, injustice and oppression are prevalent in today’s world. Every man, young or old is
running his own race, a race where he wants to outrun the other to be able to get better life for himself and
his family. He puts in all his efforts and energies, he even sacrifices his health. But the most invaluable
thing he sacrifices to win the race against time is his character, his morals and values. His experiences have
taught him that he has to continually be on war with people around him and stand up for his rights, that people
around him are not his well wishers and given an opportunity they will step on him to climb in life. Sadly these
are the emotional struggles of around 80% of Indian population. Our mindsets and thought processes have become
dented with negativity, it’s no surprise when an acquaintance of mine who had just visited us from US tried to
explain how the westerners believe in sharing what they have learned and try to give back to their community
while most of the Indians try to hold every bit of knowledge in closed fists out of fear of losing it if shared.
To top it all up the slow departure of Islam from our lives has added to our decline. Rituals and symbolism is
the only part which is given importance while the fact that Islam is a way of life is conveniently forgotten.
Quran is merely read, not understood. We have come very far from the teachings of our beloved Prophet (SAW)…. we
are losing ourselves and our generations to come.
Our teachers also belong to this time, they are no alien to these struggles. Many being women, their lives are
even more complicated. In addition to struggle for survival in this distorted world, they also struggle for
their rights at home, trying to prove to be good wives, good mothers, good daughters in law. Every other day
they are blamed for the smallest of mistakes or shortcomings of their children or for the financial crunch they
might be facing or even for the upset stomach of the husband who went ahead to enjoy roadside pakoras on a rainy
day.
If we want a real change in our schools it is imperative for us to understand the struggles of our
teachers. The only way out is to give them REAL help. It is time we work on the holistic development of the
teacher.
Connect with the Quran
The impact of one class of tafseer is manifold better than scores of motivational speeches. A structured program
for teachers where they can learn the Quran can not only transform their lives but also the lives of students
they teach. It is difficult to bring change in oneself until we really understand the purpose of our existence.
Self-help groups
Self-help groups can be a wonderful way to nurture a bond between the teachers — a platform where they can share
their problems and come up with solutions for their problems. Cooperation among them can not only mend
relationships and aid in replacing the feelings of jealousy and competition with a sense of empathy. Many times
a mindful and listening heart is sufficient to comfort flustered nerves and heal the wounded soul.
Economic upliftment
A teacher earned around Rs 5000 to 6000 a month almost 15 years back and today she earns Rs 8000 to
10,000 a
month. Has the remuneration increased proportionally with time, given the rise in the cost of living and
inflation? The autorickshaw driver who picks the children of my colony was once a Telugu teacher in a
reputed school, he says he has taught thousands of children and they very happily meet him when they see
him. I was surprised to hear this, unable to contain my curiosity I asked, ‘ Bhai, then why did you quit
teaching?’ His reply though didn’t come as a surprise, he told that being an autorickshaw driver he earns
comfortably more. He had to take care of the growing needs of his family, he could no more run his household
in the meagre amount of Rs 8000 a month. How can teaching become a respectable profession in society when
uneducated drivers, watchmen, domestic helpers easily earn more than a teacher who has spent years and years
in educating herself? It’s time for some real reflection. Let’s accept the truth; nobility is a rarity, many
of us are just simple weak humans. It’s challenging to rise from our problems and address the issues of the
society especially when one is struggling to meet the basic needs like hunger, a safe house to live and
modest education for children.
Awareness of child development and psychological needs
Parents, teachers and management want every child to be genius, literally herding them with the same
stick
without realising that each one is unique. It is essential for the teachers to understand that children learn at
different pace, some develop skills early while others take time. We have to give them space to grow without
judging them and burdening them. Awareness of the developmental needs and milestones of a child is as important
as subject knowledge. A monthly session with a psychologist or an experienced teacher will help teachers become
more empathetic towards children and also relieves them of the pressure of chasing good results. There has to be
shift from seeing merely numbers on the report card to understanding how the child has performed when compared
to the previous quarter. Good grades are naturally the by-products of an environment of help and respect, where
both teachers and students enjoy learning and sharing.
Professional development
Principals and school leaders play the most vital role in developing a positive school culture. Schools are the
centres of learning for every stakeholder, it is essential to remember that every person irrespective of the
position he holds or the experience he has, is a learner for life. Principals themselves should be a part of the
teaching and learning continuum setting an example for the teachers. Teachers should be assessed with the
intention of helping them. Regular professional development sessions should be conducted to help teachers bridge
the gaps in instruction. A skilled and confident teacher makes confident learners. It is imperative for the
school leaders to ensure psychological safety of his team wherein the staff feels confident enough to discuss
their needs, challenges and also suggest the practices that can help them grow professionally and aid in the
overall growth of the school.
Boost their creativity
Recent studies have shown that having a creative outlet gives a person a way to express himself, be
productive and improve interpersonal relations. Every human being is innately creative. Teachers should be
encouraged to come up with innovative solutions for everyday problems. They should be allowed to showcase their
skills and also share this gift of theirs with the students, even if it is something as simple as tending and
taking care of plants in the school garden or making water feeders for the birds in summer. Creativity has no
limits; it can manifest itself in the most obvious of solutions to answers to the most brain wracking problems.
For this to be possible in the school environment, teachers should be given enough autonomy to choose the way
she wants to conduct her class. A principal’s trust in the teacher coupled with the responsibility placed on her
will definitely produce results beyond expectations and also give her immense job satisfaction.
A small rolling stone has enough energy and momentum to start an avalanche. I hope our small efforts can be the
beginning of change in the lives of teachers and students. Schools are a part of community, we cannot attempt to
improve our schools without trying to improve the lives of people who make up the community.