On scanning through all the years
that I spend ‘learning’ in school, I remember very few of my teachers. During
those days, I wondered about the magic that these few but favorite teachers of
mine possessed. Today, as an educator myself, I realize, it was their passion towards
teaching and learning, that attracted many students like myself to their
treasure cove of knowledge.
Being a ‘teacher’ was
not an idea that I had in mind during my school days. During one of the best phases of my life,
those four years in engineering college, I learnt a lot more about myself and
things outside the ‘syllabi’. As far as teaching in college was concerned, I
learnt more about ‘how not to teach’ more than anything else. After the first
few months in college, we ‘learnt’ that nobody teaches you in college. Whether
you are here to learn or not, it’s your business. I guess that’s the story in
most colleges in India.
Though family
commitments slowly led me into the field of teaching, it was a moment of
discovery for me when I realized that this was where my passion lied (or
laid!) (Wonder what would my English Maám say to this ''laid/lied" confusion!) Maybe it had to do with the
wonderful places that I started my teaching career with. I had the opportunity
to learn, explore, and experiment. The meaning of a ‘teacher’ was slowly
shaping up in my mind. As a school teacher, I realized the power that was
bestowed on me in shaping young lives.
During one of our
conversations recently, my mother mentioned about raising our children to be
good and productive citizens of this world. As a mother of two and a teacher of
many, I was holding the ‘magic wand’ to do exactly that.
I have seen how a teacher
can mean the world to a young mind. I have seen how teachers can bring out the
best in you without you even knowing that you could do it. I have seen how a teacher’s
smile can bring heaven to a child. I have seen how quickly an attitude/behavior
of a teacher is absorbed by the child just as fast as the sponge that takes in
water.
The other day when my
son asked me the meaning of ‘encouragement’ , I tried to explain it to him with
different examples. All the while, he was listening and fiddling with his toy
car at the same time. When I was done, I asked him if he could make a sentence with
the word, he immediately smiled and said, “Nirmala Miss is an awesome teacher
because she gives us lot of encouragement to do things like speak on the stage.”
Now my son, who is currently in Grade 4, was talking about his Grade 3 teacher.
Nirmala Maám, I know you have made a difference in his life. You are indeed a
superb teacher. Masha Allah.
Though my interaction
with teachers in India is limited, a different picture emerges. I realize that teachers,
who are passionate enough to motivate their children to achieve their dreams,
are hard to find. Here teachers are teachers for the sake of being teachers.
Sadly, I don’t see passion. I don’t see their love for learning or even
teaching. Basically, I see them ‘doing their job’ or shall I say, ‘working’.
The Indian education
system has always faced criticism for confining the learning process to the
limits of a book. The child is expected to read lessons, learn words, mug up
answers, and ultimately vomit them onto a test paper. After going through this
routine learning for around 12-14 years, the child is expected to perform well
in entrance examinations that test your knowledge outside the syllabus. The
pressure on the teachers to complete the ‘syllabus’ despite all the missed school
days (due to hartals, rain holidays and what not) is something that I would
rather not discuss here.
The questions that creep up as I write this post:
- What is it that can
be changed here?
- Is a change ever
possible or will we have to always see our children go through this unfair rat
race?
- Do the teacher
eligibility tests that are conducted by most states in India actually extract
the best ‘teacher’ resources?
My intention was to
write a post on Teachers’ Day but somehow my route was altered. This is my area
of passion which I will continue to explore in my forthcoming blogs. Insha
Allah.
Ending with a good
reminder for all teachers:
The mediocre teacher tells.
The good teacher explains.
The superior teacher demonstrates.
The great teacher inspires. (William Arthur Ward)
As our children move forward in this journey of life, may they meet such ‘great’ teachers who will inspire them to bring Salaam to this world. As teachers and mothers, may we also be inspired to be great in being instrumental in raising our children to be great future citizens.
Finally, a big Thank you to all the 'great' teachers (my family, my friends, my seniors, my students and everyone) from all walks of life, who have guided me with their 'Light' in my journey so far and pray that they continue to do so in our days ahead.
