By Toshi Jamir
Its Monday morning 5:30 AM out of my bed getting ready for another class. By 7:30-40 AM, have to reach the school (punctuality) with light breakfast or only a glass of water. It’s not for Monday only but till Friday so also 1st, 3rd and 5th Saturday of a month (system). Hot or cold, fit or sick, windy or rainy have to attend the class as the casual leaves are limited to 12 days in a year (Less in many private schools of the state).
After a hard month of teaching the lessons, giving notes, checking notes, assignments, projects, conducting class test, re-test, class work, examinations, maintaining CCE, report card of pupils, PCR, MSR, conducting extra-curricular activities, etc., all parts of our educational system; then comes a brief smile on the face of the dedicated hardworking Private Teacher’s on the payment day. But with a meager four digit package (salary of maximum no. of private teachers, Nagaland) we go back home calculating the expenses for an entire month. Forget about buying fancy clothes, hoping in a restaurant with family and friends, going for trip and medical checkup, the entire package is just to meet the basic ends of a household for a month. But life goes on, giving the best, producing the best results in the state.
It is very disheartening when the Government and the Society and the system of education demands more and more from the teachers but doesn’t bother to listen to the silent cries of the Private Teachers. Year by year the system demand more qualifications, more experiences, better results, better percentage, less drop outs (when a child is not ready how can we help), more techno-oriented teachers, etc., but in return , What do the Private Teachers get? Or can we just ignore thinking “it’s a choice to teach in private school” but not as builder of the society. What about all the Private Teachers quitting their job looking for greener pastures of profession.
Will the politicians, civil servants, doctors, engineers, businessmen, churches, NGO’s take up the teaching? Or the Govt. Teachers who doesn’t want their own sons and daughters to study in Govt. schools. What will be the use of colleges and universities if there is no high school, that trained a child from grass root level. To speak the truth Teachers are honoured once in a year during Teacher’s Day i.e., in words and in certificates (selected teachers who gets award in district and state level).
This write up is not to seek for financial assistance for the Private Teachers but just to remind you all that we are humans and in order to survive in these expensive world we need what you are in need also. The quality of the education will improve if the lives of the TEACHER’S are improved. It is not the books or technology that teaches but it’s the Teacher who does the job.
I pray that the one day Govt. will look into the matter of private TEACHER’S by giving some reservations and concessions in public transportation or to avail certain facilities in Govt. department.
The medical fraternity can also give some concessions because good health of Teachers will enhance the teaching and educational system of our societies.
The bank can come forward and help by giving two wheelers loan (economy class) which will help the Teachers cover the distance and save time and energy instead of giving the loan only to those earning five and above digit salary.
The churches can also acknowledge and felicitate the Teacher’s who are teaching their children also. Prayer if put into action will be more fruitful.
The civil societies and organizations, NGO’s, student bodies, the philanthropist can come together to acknowledge and felicitate the Teacher’s along with the topper students.
The All Nagaland Private School Association (ANPSA) can work out for Maternity Leave for lady teachers so that pregnancies will not compel the lady teachers to quit their passion.
In doing so nobody will lose anything but the dignity of the humble private teachers will be uplifted and in return the students and the society in general will be uplifted too. But if we keep on ignoring the backbone (Private High school Teachers) then it will get sick (Teachers teaching for out of compulsion for earning or till they grab a better salaried job) and the body (society) will be paralyzed sooner or later.
Forgive me if my writings with limited writing skills have hurt the sentiments of any. But let me make it clear that I don’t have any grudge against any individuals and organizations or the government or the proprietor of any school. As I am just penning down the sad reality of the private high school teachers who needs your attention and help for the betterment of the society in general.
“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there”– Will Rogers.
