Kudos to all dedicated teachers

FROM time immemorial, great leaders were considered teachers. Heads of families were “teachers”, tasked with bringing up the next generation to respect the law, others and to live a peaceful coexistence. So we can see the “teacher” in CEOs, heads of organisations and family members in various spheres of our lives.

All children are educable but there are limits to which a child can achieve. Some are brilliant while others are slow learners. Where we have specialist teachers, individuals can develop further although they may be handicapped in certain ways.

In our society, we are often obsessed with examination scores, highlighting students with excellent performance. But we forget there are many who have obtained average or below-average grades yet they can still survive and contribute to society.

The teaching profession was once a noble profession. It is sad that nowadays a teacher is considered an ordinary person. Teachers are seen to enjoy a big salary, paid holidays and pension. However, not many want to be teachers now.

What would the world be like if there were no teachers? Homeschooling helps but there is still teaching to be done for the child to progress.

Can a child learn by himself/herself without a teacher? Yes, you may say, via computer-assisted instruction. But then you still need a teacher to plan and prepare the necessary content to stimulate learning. Teachers play this role every day, from day one of a child’s schooling to the end of his education.

In fact, teaching is a highpressure job. The teacher not only teaches but is also a multitasker looking after the welfare of his/her charges, managing discipline problems, etc. You name it and the teacher is there to attend to it. This indeed is not an easy job.

So, to the many teachers out there – both in service and those who have retired – feel proud of your profession. Think of the many lives you have touched and be thankful that you have chosen to be a teacher. Kudos to all of you.