I was dropping my sister to the tuition centre and was about to turn around when I overheard a conversation between two students regarding a teacher. Flabbergasted, I froze. Not only were the students using foul language for him, but also they used no titles such as ‘sir’ or ‘Mr’ to address him!

Nodding my head in dismissal and with a heavy heart, I made my way towards home. Their conversation kept on echoing in my ears. Sadly, it made me ponder over the reasons why are we getting too low in our ethics and values. Education is not merely a means to get a degree or earn a qualification, yet it shapes our personality, helps us distinguish between right and wrong, and makes us better human beings. But looking at the current situation prevalent in most educational institutions, it seems as if we have failed to fulfil this purpose.

The most important fact that we fail to acknowledge is that teachers are an important pillar of our society. They not only teach us content related to our academics, they also instil in us values that develop our character morally, ethically and spiritually. The love, devotion and hard work with which they teach us are undoubtedly commendable. It might be possible that you may not like a particular teacher’s style of teaching or find it difficult to develop a sound relationship with him or her, yet using abusive language, disrespecting and talking about a teacher in an insulting manner is simply unacceptable on any ground.

Teachers are like your parents and are elder than you, therefore it is obligatory upon you to respect them. Our religion also teaches us to respect teachers. If you are having a problem in comprehending a lesson, instead of humiliating and speaking ill of the teacher to your peers, it’s better for you to go and speak to him or her personally. In a polite and courteous manner, you can confide and tell the teacher that you are having difficulty understanding or catching up with his or her style of teaching.

This would not only benefit you in overcoming your problems, but it would give the teacher a thinking point to reflect on and adapt his teaching methodologies so as to cater to the understanding of all the students. In this way, you will not only be able to improve your concepts, but will also be able to cultivate a friendly relationship with him or her. Moreover, the next time that teacher would teach any new concept or chapter, he or she would ensure that you and the rest of the students comprehend it fully.

Respecting teachers goes beyond being well-behaved towards them, respecting teachers also means greeting them warmly, talking to them politely, listening to them attentively in class, following their instructions, being punctual in attending lectures and submitting assignments on time.

Now take a moment and recall, throughout your schooling you must have come across at least one or perhaps more than one teacher whom you adored for that unconditional love, dedication and kindness your teacher taught you with. You must have then become one of that particular teacher’s favourite students, and you must have looked forward to attending her classes or never missed her lectures and was always regular in turning in your homework.

Or maybe it was due to the dynamics of that particular teacher that a subject that you detested later became your favourite, or the subject in which you struggled became your strength due to the consistent efforts of your teacher.

From the colouring and tracing of the basic alphabet to solving mind-boggling mathematical questions, it’s the teachers who make you extract your true potential. They work with you at each and every stage of your life, help you mount your career rungs, show you the road map to conquer your dreams and turn you into the person you have always visualized yourself to become.

In a nutshell, by respecting your teachers, you will not only excel in your academics, but you will be able to develop characteristics that will mould your personality.

As Richard Howard has beautifully put it, “Give your teachers the respect they deserve, because they are the ones who can help you get where you need to go.”

So, what are you thinking now, go ahead and send in a thoughtful message, a wish or a gift to your teacher for being that angel in disguise in your life.

Published in Dawn, Young World, September 29th, 2023