Changes are inevitable and countless in the present world. In every aspect and in every field they are becoming larger. Though we are in need of them, some are accepted and appreciated, while some others are deplorable and agonising too. Some unexpected news provides great shock at times. Recent news that a principal was hacked to death by his three students in Tamil Nadu was shocking for those who respected their teachers.
I used to recollect my early childhood days of 1950s as a student. Especially the student-teacher relationship was relevant and analogous to parent/child relationship. According to the old clubbing of mata, pita, guru and Deivam (god) the teachers are in the third place and respected. At home before starting the studies, touching their feet and getting their blessings was an important practice. Teachers also considered the students as their own and loved them.
I remember an incident. A teacher used to come home to teach a nephew of mine, then 5 years old and very naughty. One day, he taught him some lessons and the boy was not happy to continue. While the master read the sentence to make the fill the blank “within a short time”, hurriedly the answer came from the boy — “the master will go out”. Though the mother corrected the boy, the master enjoyed his answer and laughed. Years later, when we met the him, he recollected the incident. My mother said that was a guru’s true nature.
The close relationship with the teacher and the students’ family was also remarkable.
Another incident was notable. Unfortunately, when my class teacher lost his only son in an accident, most of his students and their parents extended their love, concern and support towards him and the family. Will that kind of relationship be possible nowadays? I think, very rare and impossible to implement.
At times, we hear news about some wrong actions and behaviour of teachers to their students too. Why are they happening? The teachers might have forgotten their own position and expectations. Nowadays, the way of getting knowledge and information differs from the olden days. When we want to get to know or to clear our doubts, the Google search will satisfy the needs. Hence, an idea is floated that the place of guru is replaced by Google.
The machine and the mechanical system has replaced human nature and behaviour. As such, some teachers also behave “inhumanly” as machines and devices.
The arrested students, who killed the principal, made a request it seems. Will they be given the chance to appear for exams? Is it a purposeful insult or their ignorance? What is the value for their education? I couldn’t understand. In earlier days, my father, being a lawyer, used to quote a statement of a culprit, who killed his mother and on the judgment day, requested the judge to sympathise with him.
The judge asked, “On what basis?” He replied, “I am a motherless person.” The students’ expectation may also be similar.
