ICHPAL KAUR
There was a time in our country when teachers were not just educators but were revered as “gurus.” They were considered second parents, guides, and mentors who shaped lives with their wisdom and values. The respect for teachers was so deeply ingrained that questioning them was unthinkable. A guru’s word was final, and parents trusted them completely with their children’s future.
But today, the scenario has changed. We live in an age where parents have been given the right to question, complain, or even sue a teacher. Clubs and associations often highlight teacher-student disputes in a sensational way, sometimes forgetting the dignity of the teaching profession. Teachers today work under a constant shadow of scrutiny, often worried not about teaching effectively but about “what if a parent objects.” The respect and trust that once defined the teacher-parent relationship seem to be fading.
I am not writing this only because I am a teacher. I am also a mother of two young children, and I know how tough it is to guide and mold a child every single day. Parenting itself is challenging, and teaching a classroom full of diverse children is even more demanding. When teachers put in effort to discipline or correct a child, it is never out of dislike. It is out of a genuine desire to shape the child’s character. Yet, many times, parents misunderstand this effort as bias or harshness.
So if we truly want to celebrate Teacher’s Day, it should not just be about flowers, speeches, or functions. The real tribute would be to bring back that lost respect. Trust the teacher who is working hard for your child. Stand by them instead of doubting them. Teach children that respecting their teachers is as important as respecting their parents.
Because at the end of the day, teachers don’t just teach subjects—they build futures. And if society forgets to value them, the very foundation of learning begins to weaken.
This Teacher’s Day, let us not just celebrate with ceremonies but by restoring the dignity of the profession. Respect your teachers—that is the best gift you can give them.
