 |
| Teaching – A Prestigious Profession |
Today’s class was filled with enthusiasm and energy. Amidst the discussion, one student jokingly complained about another, saying, “Madam, he is talking too much! Ask him to keep quiet.” To lighten the mood, I responded, “Then he should become a teacher.” Without a second thought, he instantly refused, saying, “No, teaching? Not at all! I have never seen a teacher or professor living an ultra-luxurious life like corporate people.”
His words struck a chord. It made me reflect on how we perceive the teaching profession.
During our school years, whenever we were asked, “What do you want to become when you grow up?”, the most common answers were doctor, engineer, astronaut, or sometimes singer or dancer. But rarely did anyone say, “I want to be a teacher.”
Yet, ironically, as children, we often imitated our teachers in our games—writing on imaginary blackboards, using red pens to tick notebooks, and even wearing our mother’s dupatta to resemble our favorite teacher. In our playful innocence, we admired our teachers. However, as we grew up, that admiration somehow faded, replaced by a perception that teaching is not a desirable career option.
If we pause to think deeply, we realize that teaching is the foundation of every other profession. No doctor, engineer, scientist, or corporate leader would exist without teachers. Every successful professional owes their knowledge and skills to the educators who shaped them.
Despite being the most respected, prestigious, and honorable profession, teaching remains undervalued in many aspects.
The Stark Reality: Corporate vs. Teaching
While corporate professionals enjoy high salaries, incentives, and luxurious lifestyles, teachers often struggle with meager salaries and limited benefits. There is a glaring disparity between the pay scales of educators and those working in the corporate sector.
A corporate employee working in a managerial position may receive six-figure salaries, bonuses, and perks like company-sponsored vacations, medical insurance, and stock options. In contrast, a teacher, despite being highly qualified and experienced, often receives a fraction of that salary, with limited growth opportunities and little financial security.
This raises a crucial question: Why is the profession responsible for shaping the future of society not treated on par with corporate jobs?
Teaching is not just a job; it is a responsibility that shapes generations. It is time we stop viewing it as a profession of sacrifice and start recognizing it as a profession of power—the power to transform lives. If we wish to build a society that values knowledge and wisdom, we must first value those who impart it.
It’s high time that teaching is given the financial and social recognition it truly deserves.
Comments