When we review the areas of teacher abuse at different times, it is seen that teachers in private schools, colleges and madrasas have been and are being abused relatively more by public representatives, committee members, guardians and students, in addition to leaders and activists/cadres. Yet these four groups were supposed to be the round-the-clock protectors of private teachers. When teachers are abused, public representatives and guardians were supposed to come forward in solidarity with them.
The members of the governing committee of educational institutions are supposed to fulfill their moral responsibility to prevent teacher abuse. The idea that students would stand up and hold Rudra idols when teachers were attacked was prevalent in our society even in the recent past. That is why many people respected teachers. No one would even think of misbehaving with teachers, let alone raising a hand against them. However, the current picture is completely opposite. Now teachers are also being abused.
At different times, changes in government or political trends have a huge negative impact on the education sector. Many students become distracted and uncontrollable while participating in or supporting the movement. Some are directly participating in or supporting teacher torture, either voluntarily or under provocation. Many are being forced to resign by insulting and humiliating them. In most cases of such incidents, it can be assumed that students are being abused.
Before and after this, countless incidents of teachers being made to sit up by the ears, being stripped naked in public, having shoes tied around their necks, being beaten with shoes, being tied to trees, being beaten and injured or killed have occurred in the past and are still occurring; which can be seen in the media, TV, YouTube, and social media.
The question is, what is the reason for the increase in the level of heinous crimes like teacher torture and what is the remedy for it? Although long-term impunity and lack of strong protest are the main reasons for this, there are many other reasons besides this. The number of torturers is increasing day by day. As one person is seen, another, another group or party is joining. Teacher torture has become a kind of normal occurrence in our society.
The most terrifying thing is that students are now also getting involved in the torture and murder of teachers. For various practical reasons, students no longer respect teachers as they used to. They see that this society does not give teachers-especially private teachers-the proper state welfare and status. They also see that government employees, public representatives, committee members, leaders and activists, the wealthy, landlords, shopkeepers and guardians-no one respects teachers properly. So where will students learn to respect teachers? In the past, when everyone said that an educational institution was headed by a headmaster or principal, everyone meant it. But now many people mean that the head is the chairman of the committee. Earlier, the chair of the headmaster or principal was of the highest status, but now in many cases the chairman of the committee has taken over that position. In some places, there is even a tendency for the chairman to sit in the chair of the teachers. As a result, the teaching community has now become low-paid employees subordinate to the committee in many cases. The status of the teacher is questionable there.
In many educational institutions, concessions in admission, fee waivers, half or free salaries, provision of stipends, promotion of failed students, provision of opportunity to fill out forms for unsuccessful students, or non-initiation of disciplinary action-all these are in many cases under the control of committee chairmen, members, or local influential people. As a result, students understand that the words of influential people are more effective than the decisions of teachers. Many times, religious fanaticism also leads to teacher abuse or discrimination. Which is very sad. Once upon a time, teachers were not discriminated against on the basis of religion or identity; rather, they were evaluated on the basis of knowledge and qualities. Now this division is having a negative impact on the education sector. In reality, teachers are obliged to follow the instructions of the state as employees. If a government imposes an unreasonable party agenda, many are forced to follow it in the interest of protecting their jobs. As a result, if teachers are repeatedly blamed after a change of government, the level of teacher abuse will increase further in the future.
There is no way to deny that the moral weakness, questionable character and financial irregularities of some teacher-head teachers are also undermining the dignity of teachers. The misdeeds of some teachers are questioning the entire teaching community. It is necessary for the appropriate authorities to take strict action against them.
The role of teachers in preventing teacher abuse is relatively weak compared to other professionals. The teaching community is divided into different groups, ideologies, and interests. This division and disunity prevent effective protests from developing.
There are many other reasons beyond the issues discussed. Teachers also need to be self-critical. They need to admit their mistakes and weaknesses. They need to remember that you cannot become a teacher just by getting an appointment letter; you have to become a teacher.
These problems, which have developed through a long and evil process, cannot be solved in a day. Long-term and realistic plans are needed.
The state must ensure the highest status and well-being of teachers, so that even the best students take up the teaching profession as their dream.
Teacher abuse must stop now. Insulting teachers cannot be accepted under any circumstances. Examples of teachers' dignity must be widely publicized. Effective initiatives must be taken to bring students on the right path. The role and qualifications of the governing committee must be redefined. Teachers must unite, protest against injustice. Conscious citizens of society must also come forward. The government must ensure exemplary punishment of the criminals. If necessary, a teacher protection law must be formulated and implemented.
Otherwise, this nation will have to pay a heavy price in the near future. Because it is never possible to build a nation capable of standing tall with deprived, oppressed, and disrespected teachers.
Author: Former principal, columnist and education writer
