Teacher: A Social Engineer and New Directions for the 21st Century Teachers

The word “Teacher” means a person who teaches in a school, whereas a person need not work in a hospital to be doctor and need not appear in court to be an advocate, so teaching refers to a process taking in a place or institution. It is consider being a profession rather than service. But, it should be classified as service through profession or a professional service. The tendency of the teachers should be such that they should realize the fact that each child sitting in front of them as a student is not a bundle of flesh, it has ‘urge’ for a search in it. The duties and responsibilities of teachers should be of missionary zeal which brings satisfaction to both teacher and the learner. The satisfaction should be mutual and reciprocal. But the satisfaction of teachers depends upon mostly in the outcome of the efforts and performance of a student. Swami ji has innumerable words for the teacher. Much weight is given to piousness and characters of the teachers than the competence. Vivekananda says that the teacher should posses certain qualities. These are: A teacher should be a ‘tyaagi’ in the real sense of the term. He should posses a sound moral character and led an ideal life. He should remember that example is better than precept. Therefore, he should influence his pupils through his ways of living, feeling, behaving and doing. A teacher must be dedicated to the teaching profession with a view to rendering selfless service like an ancient guru. The teacher should love his pupils. He should be sympathetic to his students. Without the sympathy he cannot teach to the pupil. A teacher must have a machinery zeal and angelic motive behind the act of teaching. The role of a teacher is like a gardener, who prepares a ground for his plants, protects them, gives manure, water and makes the plants grow.