In this modern world, I have realized one thing: teacher is the most underrated character in our lives. Yes, you may not agree with me on this stance, however, look around your surroundings and everyone will accept this simple observational fact.
History remembers kings, scientists, presidents, revolutionaries, even the heinous monsters; but when it comes to the one who lead toward this history, they are totally forgotten. To put it simple, before Alexander became "the Great" there was Aristotle. Yet, what good is Aristotle without Plato? And what about the legend - Socrates? Without Socrates, there may have been no Plato; without Plato, no Aristotle; and without Aristotle, no the Great Alexander.
"I cannot teach anybody anything. I can only make them think." - Socrates.
A teacher is not someone who simply transfer information from books to minds. A true teacher shapes the way a person thinks, questions, doubts, dreams, and ultimately, who or what will become of them. A king may inherit his thrones, a landlord's property goes to his heritage and politicians will win once again, but behind many of them stands someone who once recognized their potential. Aristotle did not hand Alexander an empire; he helped him shape such a mind that would one day accomplish it. That is the real power of a teacher. The teacher may never wear a crown themselves, yet they queitly prepare those who will. And, in this sense, teachers are not some mere information providers, rather they are kingmakers.
Deterioration
Alas! There is a visible trend of disrespectful behaviour towards spiritual fathers i.e. teachers. The concerning thing is this attitude is slowly being normalised, even glorified, especially among the younger generation. In some spaces, mocking teachers, challenging their authority without any valid reason and treating classrom discipline as something outdated is now seen as a new "cool". Young folks aoften call it as a sign of confidence. Back in days, we, too, used to prank and share joyful moments with our teachers, and it was all done in a respectful manner. Even today, whenever we come across our teachers, we recall those moments and share the nostalgic laughter. However, the same teachers complain about students dirty manners.
In this aspect, I believe social media culture - with its sarcastic and rebellious nature - has played a significant role in shaping this mindset. Similarly, some movies and digital content romanticize such attitude. This whole thing has blurred the line between healthy trolling and outirhgt ddisrespect. To keep it neutral, I am not saying that teaching system is flawless and some responsibility also lies with educators who fail to adapt or connect with the modern needs. There are teachers who consider their field as an "earning platform", nothing else.
Moving forward, one of the reason behind this change is the shift in today's educational landscape. There is degradation in the value of knowledge. Previously, education was approached with patience, something which was meant to be taken serious. There was a bridge that differentiated between ignorance and understanding, and teacher used to be that bridge. Thanks to endless tutorials, summaries and AI tools, many students begin to believe that learning no longer require guiadance. For a moment, I accept that these things are necessary to grow, truly are, but are not the only things one need. A human really needs someone wiser, someone who humiliates us, someone who can bring depth to us. Information is maybe accessible infinitely, but wisdom, I believe, strongly requires a teacher.
Temporary Service
There is another important aspect: student-teacher bond. In the past, the connection moved beyond academics. Teachers were considered as moral anchors, and students too, carried a responsibility to uphold utmost respect, not just to get marks or pass exams. Today? The relationship revolves around favor-for-favor condition. You pay me; I teach you. Once the syllabus is finished or the exam is over, the bond disappears. There is less gratitude, weak reflection and almost no recognition of the teacher's effort.
However, despite all these changes, the essence of teaching is not completely lost. It has only become more necessary. In a whorld full of infinite distractions, opinions and absurd noise, a teacher is the one of the few voices that can still offer direction. But this direction requires patience, clarity and dedication. There is a need to understand that guidance is not a weakness but a strength. If society is to restore this balance, it must also reform the culture of respect along with the infrastructures. Because without teachers, we not only lose the traditional values, we also lose the meaning of learning itself, even the purpose of life.
In the end, there is an attributed quote to ALi ibn e Talib: "Whoever taught me a single letter, I am his slave".
Whether it is authentic or not, however the said thing is meaningful.
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Peace 🕊
