To Sir and Madam with love
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: September 05, 2012 -

The importance of teachers in the lives of students is such that with passage of time, students may forget what they have been taught in the classes but never what their teachers did for them.

Teachers are the ones who not only give us the light of education, but also teach us how to shape and live our life.

In fact, right from kindergarten to college and beyond, more than our parents, it is our teachers, who bring us up and show the path to future.

It is in recognition of this valuable service that a day is set aside in an annual calendar to show respect to our teachers.

The idea of celebrating Teachers' Day took ground independently in many countries during the 20th century.

Teachers' Day is celebrated on different dates and each of the countries pays tribute to the teachers in its own ways.

However, in most cases, the celebration is in the form of commemorating a local educator on his birth or death anniversary or an important milestone in development of education of that country.

For instance, in India, Teachers' Day is celebrated on 5th of September every year to mark the birthday anniversary of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who was not only the second President of India but also a staunch believer of education, well known diplomat, scholar and above all a dedicated teacher whereas in Malaysia, it is celebrated on May 16 to commemorate adoption of Razak Report, one of the four reports of the Education Committee regarding education in that country, on this day in 1956.

Apart from celebration of Teachers' Day in different countries and on different dates, World Teachers' Day is held annually across the globe on 5th October since 1994 'to celebrate the essential role of teachers in providing quality education at all levels' and also to commemorate the anniversary of the 1966 signature of the UNESCO/ILO Recommendation Concerning the Status of Teachers.

Its aim is to mobilise support for teachers and to ensure that the needs of future generations will continue to be met by teachers.

This includes celebrations to honor the teachers for their special contribution in a particular field area or the community in general. Such is the importance of teachers in securing the future of human societies that they may be regarded as true nation builders - the ones who groom the future pillars of the society.

However, when we talk of the role of teachers in this part of the world, it is sad to know that the line between the noble profession of teaching and business of minting money is becoming increasingly blurred over the last few decades.

Time and again, teachers have been alleged of neglecting their duties. While some of them have been charged with taking keen interest in contract works instead of teaching lessons to the students in class, some others have been known for encouraging students to come for home tuition.

In such a situation, splurging the hard earned money of their parents by the students in the name of celebrating Teachers' Day is but natural.

A teacher is supposed to be like a candle which consumes itself to light the path of his/her students and not to expect anything but love and respect from his/her students.

That is why we say 'To Sir/Madam with love' and not 'To sir/Madam with money'.