In an open letter addressed to America’s Parents and Teachers, former President Barack Obama poignantly stated, “When I look back on the great teachers who shaped my life, what I remember isn’t the way they prepared me to take a standardized test: what I remember is the way they taught me to believe in myself, to be curious about the world, to take charge of my own learning so that I could reach my full potential.” This sentiment underscores the profound significance of teachers in shaping the future of a society. The children in our classrooms today are the architects of tomorrow, responsible for steering the course of administration, science, social progress, academia, and more. Therefore, it becomes imperative that they are nurtured, loved, and entrusted with a sense of responsibility.
Recent distressing incidents have exposed the fragility of a healthy teacher-student relationship and the broader educational system. For instance, a video from Neha Public School depicted a teacher, Ms. Tripta Tyagi, encouraging harm towards a 7-year-old classmate based on their religious identity. Similarly, teachers Mohammad Hafiz and Farooq Ahmad allegedly resorted to violence against a student who wrote “Jai Shree Ram,” and another incident involved a professor branding a student as “terrorist” due to his Muslim identity. These occurrences highlight the potential erosion of values within the educational framework and emphasize the urgent need for promoting tolerance, respect, and inclusivity within classrooms.
The National Education Policy of 2020 delineates a lofty purpose for education: to nurture compassionate, rational, empathetic, and resilient individuals, equipped with scientific temper, creative imagination, ethical values, and courage. It emphasizes the importance of an educational environment where every student feels valued and cared for. The vital question that surfaces in light of recent events is whether educators like Tripta Tyagi, Mohammad Hafiz, and Farooq Ahmad are fostering such environments for their students. Would any of us willingly send our children to a school where a teacher sows seeds of discord among classmates based on religious differences? Or deliberately passes derogatory comments on his identity, or uses physical violence?
India’s diverse society demands educators who comprehend the significance of nurturing children with sensitivity, keeping pace with evolving times. Modern educators must possess the courage to challenge prevailing social norms, integrate gender sensitivity, promote social justice, and foster peaceful coexistence within the school system. In a nation as diverse and complex as India, the classroom must transcend the binaries of majority versus minority, rich versus poor, and abled versus disabled. It should become a safe haven of joy and learning, where identities are respected, and students are acknowledged through empowerment, not violence – be it physical or verbal. Our differences in faith, tradition, and identity converge in the pursuit of truth, morality, and justice. Derogatory discussions about faith, especially in educational settings, sow seeds of hatred and compromise a child’s innocence. It is imperative that we allow children to perceive the world through their lens, free from the taint of religious bias.
The far-reaching influence of a teacher cannot be overstated. Positive influence begets positive outcomes, whereas negativity leaves deep scars. When students are subjected to unfair treatment in the classroom, when they are made to feel small, subhuman, limited or unworthy, they internalize these perceptions. Microaggressions, public humiliation, excessive discipline, and challenging their beliefs can erode trust and undermine the sacred teacher-student relationship. This trust, once broken, is hard to mend. Teaching tolerance through leading by example is a potent strategy for creating an inclusive classroom. By embodying respect, empathy, and open-mindedness, educators inspire students to adopt similar attitudes. Demonstrating active listening, using inclusive language, and appreciating cultural diversity sets a positive tone. Treating all students equally, addressing conflicts calmly, and promoting open discussions model constructive behavior. Celebrating diverse traditions and responding to bias with sensitivity reinforces respect. Humility in admitting uncertainty and encouraging empathy fosters an environment of growth. By creating inclusive norms and collaborative activities, teachers demonstrate the value of differences. Leading by example not only shapes a harmonious classroom but equips students with vital life skills, promoting tolerance and understanding beyond the school environment.
Professional educators bear the responsibility of imparting not only academic knowledge but also values that shape character, empathy, and tolerance. They are tasked with cultivating acceptance, respect, empathy, and critical thinking. In this endeavour, let us acknowledge that the journey of education transcends textbooks; it encompasses the hearts and minds of our future generations. Let us champion the cause of compassionate teaching, inspiring students to be curious, empathetic, and open-minded individuals. By doing so, we can ensure that every classroom becomes a crucible of understanding, a sanctuary of growth, and a beacon of hope for a brighter, more harmonious world. Just as our nation achieved the remarkable feat of reaching the South Pole of the Moon, we possess the capability to rectify the injustices that have crept into our classrooms. Let us address this issue before irreparable damage is done.
