I could sound bragging about something quite not so unfamiliar. I may also be interpreted as the one who talks archaic. I am a teacher. I deal with students. At times, I write too. And, today is just the appropriate moment when I have the feeling of writing something. Being a teacher by profession, I have the responsibility of rebuilding manpower. I am bound to this  tradition that has been there for very long.

Teaching, as a practice  has been existing from antiquity. In Hinduism, a teacher is called a  ”Guru”. He is a pundit who gives all his knowledge to his pupils. He owns the most respectable position is society. In other cultures also, a teacher stands as a guardian in society.  Majority of the people in Nepal are Hindu. Among the minorities, Buddhism, Muslims, Christianity and few other cultures are found to be followed. Every culture however, set aside utmost respect for teachers and preachers. A “Guru” is found to have the position equivalent to fathers and mothers in all cultural followings and practices.

While going through the history of Nepal,  a teacher is found to have the same dignity and position  right besides the ruler. Whether during the period of pre-unification or after the unification of Nepal, every ruler is found to have a teacher as a guide. After the introduction of democracy in Nepal, many schools opened, higher level studies started. This led to the educational reform in Nepal. The ’90s revolution led to the opening of even more schools and colleges. Today, we are lucky enough to say that our country is independent from others in serving the best of education available in the world. We have made quite an achievement. Nepali students are found serving the best industries in the world. The educational quality has been approved by many multinational companies and have let Nepali students work for them. It is not a rare event when we hear a Nepali being honored for his achievement. We have produced pupils who are hard to resist.
Going through the recent history, the peoples’ revolution for a republic Nepal brought us to a new era. However, prior to the revolution Nepal had a turbulent decade — a decade that passed with bloody history. People were killed. Peace was at stake. The bloodshed not only led to loss of human lives and destroyed infrastructures but also shattered traditional beliefs and superstitions.  The attitudes of people changed. The society changed. It was, in retrospect, a change that took human emotions to a new level.

The twelve year old war ended with the Peoples’ Revolution. A ray of hope emerged. Nepal was declared a republic, and the feeling of being ruled by a king ended. Democracy was reformed. Educational system though, had subtle change only. Some notes on history were updated. The urgent need to reform the education system was not felt. We had feelings of being right on our paths. Despite the historical change, people had expectations — expectations that were far too much away in time. Inevitably, dissatisfaction arose. People were found to have lost their self-discipline. This had direct impact on children.

The post-revolution era created an atmosphere where everybody was made to believe that the only way to get heard was to hit at the opponent by physical means — legal procedures were not on the menu. Such feelings had impact on every sector including educational institutions. This led to disrespect, loss of decency and loss of moral behaviors. Unfortunately this feeling prevails today also. Have we been culturally adrift? Do we respect our teachers? Do we need to re-think?

Students are mirrors of our future. They are the ones who rule the nation afterwards. It is the duty of our society to teach them the norms and values of society. The norms, values and culture that has been prevalent in any society does change in course of time. However, the changes should not lead to a chaotic society. The good changes must be adopted while the existing better values must be preserved. They should be relayed in time. Cultures must have some good in them for they are the changes that our ancestors adopted after years of learning. The haphazard following of other cultures degrades society. The peace, harmony and cultural status get compromised when the norms and values get lost in between. We and our children should always be taught about our culture, discipline and respect for society. Unity and integrity prevail only when we understand ourselves and our representation in society. It should be us, the parents and teachers — the society overall, who should revive in our students, the feeling of cultural importance in society. They should be taught to believe in their teachers. The teachers on the other hand should be made more responsible. Teachers can be a good friend of students and vice-versa but it is a relationship that exists only if they have their responsibilities well understood. Help raise the children in a good environment.