Towards a friendly relationship

The day saluting teachers’ contribution in shaping individual’s personality is here once again. Teacher’s Day is being observed for years as a gratitude to those who work hard in making students a complete human being besides imparting bookish knowledge.

However, the profession and the relationship between teachers and students have changed over the years.

While schools and colleges across the country celebrate the day, Metrolife takes a look at the profession, once considered noble, and how has this relationship changed.
Neenu Singh, who has been teaching English for the last 21 years, says the job has become more demanding as the students are much smarter than before.
“Nowadays it is not just about imparting bookish knowledge. The relationship between students and teachers is more interactive. Teachers too have to maintain the dignity of the students while dealing with them. Each child has individualistic issues which a teacher should be able to address,” says Neenu Singh, who teaches English at Bal Bharati Public School.

Teachers find that the respect they used to receive has been replaced by a more friendlier attitude of the students who lack the humility and confident at the same time.
“I feel that students had more respect towards teachers when I had joined the profession around a decade ago. Now, a more friendlier approach has taken over the respect and obedient behaviour,” says Rachna Bose, who teaches science and home science at Cambridge School, Noida.

“Now students would say like acha ma’am gussa mat karo. We have accepted this friendly attitude. However, they also behave as if they know everything. Technically, they are more aware but when it comes to handling real life situation, they need to learn a lot more,” says Rachna.

Parents still push their daughters to take up the teaching profession citing that it would give them enough time to handle household responsibilities. Besides, many still take it as a noble profession.  However, teachers feel whether it is noble or not; it consumes less time or not, only those would be able to happily survive here who love being with children.

Prerna Sharma, who teaches Montessori students at Bal Bharti Pubic school, Pusa Road, says, “I took up teaching because my parents wanted me to. But after five years in this profession, I love it too. 

“During my training at a school, there was a differently-abled child. He would always call me mumma. I cannot forget the amount of love I received from him. I developed a special bond with him. He still calls me mumma,” Prerna says, sharing the best moment she experienced during her career.

Neenu says, “Nobility is a thing of past. In fact it is associated with individuality but I feel the happiest person when I am with my students. Sometimes I hate my profession only because of the administrative reasons. When I don’t get the required support from the parents, that irks me too.”