We owe a sense of gratitude to our teachers who toiled and sweated to ensure us perpetual bliss

Teachers’ Day is a red letter day as it instills among us a sense of enthusiasm, triumph and festivity as they have been pivotal in shaping our lives and guiding mentors for us towards good human beings.
The school leaders and managers are our great teachers who make our students guarantee the future through mindful care and selfless service. The role of teachers is now diverse but pivotal in the social, cultural and moral development of a complex society. Every year on the 5th of September we recall and remember the teachers as most of them remain in oblivion; rather they remain unsung heroes. The 5th of September is celebrated as Teachers’ Day across the country in honour of the second president of India Dr S Radhakrishnan an educationist par excellence who was born on this day. The nation pays tribute and applause to nation-builders. APJ Abdul Kalam said, “Teaching is a very noble profession that shapes the character, calibre and future of an individual. If people remember me as a good teacher, that will be the biggest honour for me.”
The teachers are the best! Every time when truth is forgotten, they are the ones who revive it. The ideal teacher makes the ideal school and the ideal school develops an ideal society. The teachers are noble and novel in intention and immerse themselves in the unrefined vibes of minds to make concrete from abstract, and raw ideation refined. Ideal teachers delve deep into the psyche of students to ignite thinking, help them imbibe values and valour and make the learners worthwhile and lovable creatures. They hone the life skills of individuals and influence them with their empathetic values. They enable the students to think positively and feel perfectly. It is a real teacher who takes the hand of the student, opens the mind and touches a chord of heart, that is why the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has underscored the role of the teacher as the centre of the fundamental reforms in the education system, it will help to reestablish teachers at all levels, as the most respected and essential member of our society, as they shape our next generation.
Hazrat Ali (RA) said a great teacher is so important that even if he/she conveys a single message the student owes him or her for a lifetime. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, “Seek knowledge and train to be dignified and calm while seeking knowledge and humble yourself with those whom you learn from.” (Tabarani). It is a teacher who illuminates the lives of students by toiling themselves. These teachers influence the students passionately and leave a long-lasting impact on the lifestyle of students. The NEP has set the salient features of good teachers based on liberty, responsibility, pluralism, equity and justice. They should possess life skills such as communication, cooperation, teamwork, and resilience as they have multipronged responsibilities in the teaching-learning ecosystem. The quality of human resources is developed by higher-order thinking skills, effective communication and innovative strategies.
A teacher must be adapted to learn the curriculum goals and objectives and able to deliver and demonstrate among students. An ideal teacher should adhere to professional ethics and attributes as these ethics are the very essence of a successful life. The lacunas and flaws can catapult social, moral, and other problems and crises in society. Teachers must be prone to patient listening, creative in practicum and humourous in dealing with and approaching students. The NEP has envisioned that the primary goal of teachers is to overhaul the service environment. They should continuously improve their professional abilities and fund of knowledge so as to deliver effectively. Teachers should ensure that they are part of vibrant caring communities. They should ensure decent and pleasant service conditions at schools. Educators need to be proactive in understanding the ethos, aims, and objectives.
According to the NEP, the teachers must upskill themselves with rigorous continuous professional development programmes. It is vital for teachers to have strong coordination, cooperation and the motivation to transform students’ lives through skill and character building. The NEP emphasizes the teachers contribute their best and make sacrifices and efforts to uphold the dignity, respect, and honour of this profession. The government should reciprocate the teacher with incentives and promotion seamlessly and uphold the glory of this profession and professionals for a better future as these are our pride and legends. We owe a sense of gratitude to our teachers, the nation-builders who toiled and sweated to ensure us perpetual bliss.
The writer can be reached at [email protected]

Dr Imtiyaz Rasool Ganai