Teachers Day - A Reflection
A Reflection on the Teachers Day...
Dear friends, Greetings of the Day!
To begin with, I would like to remember and express my gratitude to all those teachers who enabled me to interact with you all. Our nation has experienced a rich tradition of Guru (a teacher) & Shishya (a disciple) for ages since the ancient time. In the passage of time, the nature of the teacher kept changing. The teaching methods also kept changing with the changing time. As the disciples used to live at the Guru's Aashram (the abode of the teacher), both had intimate relationship. The Gurus were an ideal for the Shishyas. There was oral transfer of knowledge from the teacher to the disciple. This was the oral tradition of education in the ancient age. There was thrust on learning by heart and deciphering the knowledge in sciences through discussion. All the knowledge and sciences had concentrated in the Vedas, in the ancient age. The knowledge in the form of Shlokas was orally transferred from the Gurus to the Shishyas. Hence there was no other alternative to the Gurus for acquiring knowledge. He was the only source of knowledge in the past. The knowledge, sciences and education couldn't be universalized due the medium of education, that was Sanskrit and due to the social classes system.
The knowledge and sciences in the oral form started reflecting in the books with the development of printing technology. Thus the oral tradition got a new form of education in the form of 'Reading-Reflecting-Thinking'. Along with the teachers, the books also started imparting and disseminating knowledge. Though the authors of books were the primary source of knowledge, still it was necessary and obligatory to decipher the printed text with the help of a teacher. The concept of the 'Zone of Proximal Development' by Vygotsky underlines the importance of a guide/ facilitator. A facilitator plays a vital role in bridging the gap between the optimal development and the development achieved through self-study.
The knowledge in the form of print and stored material made it possible to learn in distance mode. The audio and video recording resulting from the development of technology added a new dimension to teaching-learning and education. It helped self-learning a great deal. Still, there is provision of contact sessions in the distance mode education for the clarification of doubts. The Distance mode education system is based on the prerequisites of internal urge or external motivation, reading comprehension, writing skills and numeracy. A teacher does the important work of laying foundation of reading with comprehension, writing skills and numerical competencies at the primary stage. The National Education Policy 2020 emphasizes the development of these foundational skills and competencies. They are thought about under the title, 'Foundational Literacy & Numeracy'. It's the very first target to be achieved by 2026-27.
The educational experiments done in the Kumathe bit have proved that only a teacher can perform the important task of transforming the abstract concepts into concrete one very skilfully and excellently. Though the books, recordings (audio, video), educational aids are available and important, the teachers are equally important, on the other hand. Both these factors are not alternative to each other, but they are complementary. It can be a challenging task for teachers to adopt emerging techniques in the passage of time, but they are a kind of boon as well for them. It's the job of only a teacher to pause a video in the middle and ask thought-provoking questions. Watching a video, without reflecting on it, will be only a kind of entertainment. 'Thinking' is the base of learning. It's the skill of a teacher to promote learners to think and reflect.
There is explosion of information in the age of Information Technology. Internet has become an important and very powerful source of knowledge and information among other sources. But, 'the invention and use of dynamite for making atom-bomb' has underlined the importance and necessity of using the power with care and sensitivity. The teacher in the Information Technology age will have to play the role of helping learners to search for and gain the relevant and appropriate information without drowning in the sea of information. Then and then only it will be possible to use this powerful source appropriately.
The teachers have become hi-tech in today's age of technology. In today's pandemic situation they are overcoming hinderances between a teacher and a student by expertly using new techniques and technology. The tele-videoconferencing system, once used for political and administrative purpose, is being used with ease by teachers for reaching out to those learners who are unable to reach schools. Though a lot of experiments are being done in today's pandemic situation, the digital divide in the developing nation like India can't be ignored. The worldwide survey reveals that throughout the world, all developed, developing and underdeveloped countries are more or less affected and suffered educationally, too, due to COVID pandemic.
Education is a noble work being done by human beings for human beings and for humanity. How can it be materialized without the human and humanistic touch? Probably, due to this fact, the children who are generally attracted towards holidays are eagerly waiting for the schools to reopen. Not only the children but the teachers and parents also are eagerly waiting for the schools to reopen. Let's hope that this situation will change soon and the schools will start functioning normally. The schools will fill with the chirping of children. A grand salute to the grand and noble work of education, the teachers are doing in today's pandemic period, and I wish greetings of the 'Teachers Day' to all esteemed teachers!
Very nice opportunity to reflect
ReplyDeleteGreat pleasure to read every word. As if you're talking with us. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on Teachers'Day.
ReplyDeleteYou share your views and expectations from teachers on the occasion of teacher day.The way with which you express yourself feel me as if you are talking to me.I really salute to you and proud of myself that you are guru of my life.
ReplyDeleteRespected sir you shere your aspect and desir about new education and teachers roll in education. We always need it. We always Respected it. You are our modelrole person
ReplyDeleteWe feel very glad to read Mr Lawrence sir's thought. We are proud of you sir.Really We are waiting reopen the School.....
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