TEACHER'S RESPONSIBILITY

 Teacher is the sculptor who transforms the rough diamond into the scintillating and brilliant diamond! Outside the family teacher isthe friend, philosopher and guide to the student. Cel

ebrities in the world are all shaped by their teachers. It is of paramount importance that teachers and parents and those interested in the progress of mankind should recognize the present situation.The influence of the teacher is always on the student whether he is aware of it or not. Our ancient sages and saints were great teachers who lived a spotless life and were examples of righteous or Dharnic life. Sages like Vasishta and Viswamitra were classical examples of Gurus or teachers who inspired their students in leading righteous lives. What about the modern teacher? Our system of education lays emphasis on degrees, diplomas and lucrative jobs rather than a life of peace, contentment and Love. Educational institutions have become temples of Lakshmi instead of being the temples of Goddess Saraswathi. Teaching and learning have become a mechanical process!

Students are the future citizens of the country and rulers of the nation. The ideals inculcated by the teacher decide the destiny of the nation. The teacher as well as the process of education should cater not only to the intellectual and material advancement but to the student’s moral and spiritual progress. Education should not be for mere livelihood. It should be for living a meaningful life. “students have to be encouraged to ‘Follow the Master”; ( the inner voice of conscience), “ Face the Devil” (the down dragging anti social urges), “ Fight to the End” (until one is able to overcome the inner foes of lust, anger, greed, undue attachment, pride and hatred)and “ Finish the Game” (of life on earth)” counsels Bhagawan Sri Sri Satya Sai Baba in one of his Divine discourses.

                        

Swami says that the teacher and education should make the student aware of his inherent Divinity. It is this quality that confers self confidence and self satisfaction to the student. No academic degree or diploma is capable of doing this. Teacher student relationship should be reciprocal. One should be ready to give while the other ready to receive. Teacher’s responsibility is to inspire and illumine while that of the student is to respond to the ‘Love and Light’.  Swami says, “We now believe that the acquisition of knowledge is for the acquisition of wealth. But this is not right. Just as a bird has need of two wings, a cart must have two wheels;   Man, too, must have two types of knowledge—to live on and to live for. The one helps him to eke out his livelihood and the other rewards him for having lived at all.”

The teacher’s responsibility does not stop with the inculcation of knowledge concerning the material   world.  He should make the students realize that spiritual practice is as important as secular education. Pupils should be made to understand their indebtedness to God for all the benefits they enjoy including the air they breathe and water they drink. Education is said to be the manifestation of the Divinity in man. The teacher has the onerous obligation of instructing his students on the cultivation of the Five Cardinal virtues----Truth, Right Conduct, Love, Peace and Non Violence. The teacher should be the ideal for his student.  By doing this he elevates the student and also the society of which he is an inalienable part. It is the unavoidable responsibility of the teacher to keep a watch on every word and action of the student! The teacher must be the ideal and an example for the student. Women teachers are better equipped than men in discharging their responsibility. Students and children are easily molded by sweetness and softness and maternal love rather than by fatherly advice and admonition .

Importance of spiritual education cannot be underestimated either by the teacher or the student. It is the bounden duty of the teacher to open the eyes of the student to spiritual practices and discipline. “Whatever  job a student may take up, wherever he may be working, he must continue to practice spiritual discipline. Without a spiritual basis, education would be wasted” Says Swami in his Divine discourse. (SSS  Vol 10) Teachers should see that children’s and students’ minds are not polluted by fear and hatred. They should be taught to have open hearts to receive all good things. Thus the teacher has an enormous and very great responsibility to guide and inspire the student in the right direction He should be a Role Model in precept and practice for all his dear students!