32. A very Happy Teachers’ Day

 

Who is a teacher?

The Bible of Internet search-Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teacher) describes Teacher or, an educator as a person who give the following to  his or her students:

• Knowledge

• Competence

• Virtues

Teachers’ Day- 

Teachers’ Day is celebrated to commemorate the birthday of the luminary scholar; teacher and philosopher par excellence; and a widely regarded statesman, Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. 

A brief life-sketch of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

Early years-Born on 5th September, 1888 in Tiruttani, Chittoor of Today’s Tamil Nadu, he was a brilliant scholar. He completed his High School from Voorhees College, Vellore; graduated and did Masters from the esteemed Madras Christian College just at 17 years of age. 

Academic Journey-Indian Philosophy especially, Srimad Bhagavad Gita and Vedant, was deeply-rooted in him. He went on to write theses, articles, books and treatises on the subject, which are cherished by the academics all over the globe. His distinguished career covered-

• Teacher of Philosophy at the famous Madras Presidency College. 

• Professor in the renowned University of Mysore, University of Calcutta and also at the Manchester College.

• Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University 

• Professor at the prestigious University of Oxford 

• Vice Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University till 1948.

Political Milestones-It was the time of great political turmoil for India. Dr. Radhakrishnan was not unaffected. However, his political journey was a result of his brilliant academic career and brilliant work on Hindu culture. 

He traversed the following route-

• 1946-52-Represented India in UNESCO

• 1949-52- Ambassador of India to the then Soviet Union

• 1952-1962- Vice President of India

• 1962-67- President of India 

Celebrating his birthday as the Teachers’ Day is a great honour to this illustrated son of India.

Role of Teachers

Dr. Radhakrishnan believed that the “Teachers should be the best minds in the country.” It is an apt statement also because primarily, it is the teacher who sculpts a raw boy or girl into a doctor, engineer, chartered accountant, management professional, architect, designer, administrator, civil servant or any other professional worth its name. 

For a child, the mother's lap is the first school. As he starts going to the school, the teacher takes over the dual role of a mother and an educator. These days, the teachers are required to take professional degrees in education (B.Ed.) for their appointment in all the good schools. Teacher’s role becomes very important to impart holistic education. These norms are enumerated in the National Education Policy (NEP-2020) announced by the Government of India. Please read the author's article “27. NEP 2020-What does it really mean?” on his blog: Education 2020 (lInk: eduofday.blogspot.com).Thus, the teacher’s role becomes multifarious. He or she has to prepare the student in:

• Academics (Various subjects)

• Sports

• Group Discussions and Debate

• Co-curricular activities

• Skill-sets

• Ethics

Besides, the teacher also has to go beyond the formal duties to act as a friend, philosopher, guide and counsellor for the student. A reference may be made to the author’s article “18. 15 basic qualities to make you a star primary teacher” on his blog: Education 2020 (lInk: eduofday.blogspot.com). (After pressing this link, you will reach on the blog. There you need to write the title “18. 15 basic qualities to make you a star primary teacher” in the search box to open it for reading it).

Following qualities are expected in a good teacher-

• Professional qualifications

• Subject knowledge

• Enthusiasm

• Interaction with the students

• Well-versed with the pedagogy

• Patience

• Discipline

• Communication

• Friendly persona

• Ethical behavior

 

Takeaways

 

Teachers’ day is an occasion to remember the important role of the teachers in the life of a normal human being. Teacher becomes the medium for imparting education and culture in a person’s life. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan set up the high standards for the teachers that need to be emulated in the true spirit.

#Teacher #TeachersDay #HappyTeachersDay

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