Beyond flowers and celebrations, teachers deserve dignity, fair salaries, job security, protection and the support needed to shape responsible future generations

By Carmel Lyngdoh

Teaching is not merely about helping students pass examinations; it is about shaping their character, expanding their knowledge, nurturing responsibility and building the future of generations to come.

Teachers’ Day is an occasion to express gratitude, pay tribute to teachers and recognise their invaluable contribution to society.

Beyond the celebrations, however, it should also provide an opportunity for honest reflection on the state of the teaching profession, the relationship between teachers, students and parents, and the challenges educators face in the modern era.

Teachers Then and Now

In earlier times, teachers were regarded as among the most respected and influential figures in their communities.

Students looked up to them with reverence, while parents trusted their guidance and disciplinary decisions. A teacher’s responsibility extended far beyond the classroom; teachers also served as advisers, mediators and builders of character.

Today, teaching methods have changed considerably with advances in science and technology. Teachers are expected to use digital tools, understand the emotional and psychological difficulties faced by students, and adapt their teaching methods to meet diverse learning needs.

Social media, excessive mobile-phone use, cyberbullying, substance abuse, family difficulties and mental-health concerns are among the challenges teachers must now confront.

Many of these problems were neither as widespread nor as severe in earlier generations.
Teaching Goes Beyond Textbooks
Teachers play a profound role in the lives of their students. They can discover hidden talent, encourage those who have lost hope and guide those who have gone astray.

At times, a single word from a teacher can transform a student’s entire life.
True education is not merely about memorising lessons or passing examinations.

It also involves instilling discipline, strengthening character and teaching honesty, respect for others, responsibility and love for society.

Teachers must prepare students not only to secure employment but also to become informed and responsible citizens who understand both their rights and their duties.

The Teacher, Student Relationship

In the past, the relationship between teachers and students was firmly rooted in trust, obedience and respect.

Today, however, that respect appears to have weakened in some places.
Students alone cannot be blamed.

Changes within families, the influence of social media, the limited time parents spend with their children, the absence of clear school rules and poor cooperation between homes and schools can all contribute to declining discipline.

Respect should not arise from fear. It should grow from trust, fairness and a healthy relationship. Teachers, therefore, must remain consistent, dependable and impartial while respecting the dignity and individuality of every student.

Supporting Students Facing Difficulties

Not every student learns or understands in the same way. Some learn quickly, while others require more time and individual support. Some students may also be affected by poverty, family conflict, abuse, loneliness or mental-health difficulties.

An observant teacher may recognise these problems through changes in behaviour, frequent absence, declining academic performance, unusual withdrawal or recurring anger.

In such circumstances, the student needs someone who will listen and offer support not criticism, humiliation or ridicule.
Teachers should speak privately with the student, work closely with the parents and, where necessary, refer the child to a counsellor or trained professional.

When there is reason to suspect abuse, harassment or substance misuse, the school must act promptly in accordance with child-protection procedures.

Discipline Without Corporal Punishment
The prohibition of corporal punishment does not mean teachers can no longer maintain discipline.

It means that disciplinary measures must be clear, fair and free from physical or psychological harm.

Humiliation, threats and physical punishment may compel a child to obey temporarily, but they can also leave emotional wounds that last for years.

Effective discipline includes clear classroom rules, consistent warnings, private discussions, cooperation with parents and consequences proportionate to the misconduct.

Respecting children’s rights and maintaining discipline are not opposing objectives. A school can protect a child’s dignity while teaching the child to accept responsibility for their actions.

Teachers and Parents

A child’s development is neither the sole responsibility of the teacher nor that of the parents. It requires close and sustained cooperation between the home and the school.

Parents should listen to their child’s account, but they must also consider the teacher’s observations. Similarly, teachers should not reach conclusions without hearing the parents’ perspective.

When disagreements arise, they should be resolved through calm dialogue, credible evidence and a shared commitment to the child’s best interests.

Defending children indiscriminately, even when they are at fault, may make teachers hesitant to correct or guide them.

At the same time, supporting teachers does not mean accepting every action without question. Genuine cooperation requires awareness, mutual trust and accountability on both sides.

The Role of School Authorities

School authorities must ensure that teachers are not left to face difficulties alone. Schools need clear policies on classroom management, child protection, grievance redressal and the protection of teachers who face threats or unfounded allegations.

Every complaint must be investigated independently and fairly. Neither a teacher nor a student should be judged solely on the basis of claims circulating on social media.

School authorities should also provide teachers with regular training in non-violent disciplinary methods, psychological first aid, protection against abuse and the responsible use of technology.

Salary and Dedication

Dedication is one of the defining qualities of a good teacher. However, the word “dedication” should never be misused to justify inadequate salaries, delayed payments or insecure employment.

Teachers have families, personal responsibilities and the right to live with dignity. Fair and timely salaries provide financial security and enable them to concentrate fully on their teaching responsibilities.

Many teachers continue to serve with extraordinary commitment despite limited teaching resources and inadequate remuneration.

Their greatest satisfaction often comes from seeing former students progress in life, secure employment and grow into responsible human beings.

Government Must Show Respect Through Action

Expressions of gratitude on Teachers’ Day are insufficient if teachers continue to endure delayed salaries, job insecurity, unequal pay and inadequate protection.

The Government must demonstrate respect through timely salary payments, equitable remuneration, job security in accordance with established rules, continuous professional training, and the development of safe and adequately equipped learning environments.

Teachers should not be overburdened with duties unrelated to education, as these responsibilities reduce the time available for lesson preparation, individual student support and improvement of teaching methods.

Building Safe Schools

A good school is one in which both students and teachers feel secure. Schools should have complaint committees, confidential and accessible reporting mechanisms, trained counsellors or support personnel, and clear procedures for responding promptly to abuse, threats or harassment.

Safety is not defined solely by boundary walls, gates and CCTV cameras. It also depends on trust—the confidence that a student can report a problem without fear and that a teacher can perform their duties without intimidation.

Making Teachers’ Day Meaningful

The most meaningful way to honour teachers is not merely through flowers, songs and gifts. It is to listen to their concerns, protect their rights, provide fair remuneration and preserve the dignity of the teaching profession.

At the same time, teachers must continue to strengthen their knowledge and skills, respect their students and serve as positive examples through their conduct and way of life.

Quality education is not simply about enabling students to pass examinations. It is about building character, knowledge, responsibility and a secure future.

Likewise, maintaining discipline should not involve physical punishment, but should be achieved through measures that are clear, fair and respectful of human dignity.

Teachers’ Day will become truly meaningful only when the whole of society—students, parents, school authorities and the Government—works together to uphold the dignity, rights, safety and value of teachers.