Come what may, the democratic polity envisages weeding out social inequalities, a noble end goal if viewed dispassionately. However lofty ideals wind up gathering dust when things go down to brass tacks. It is disturbing and unseemly for democracy to witness the concentration of wealth in a few hands or an easy route to quality education for those with deep pockets? Ordinary and struggling masses in manifold regions of the world are battling the crises: poverty, hunger, human trafficking, runaway corruption in its myriad forms, swelling unemployment, forced migration and — little access to empowering education.

The big consolation is that quality education coupled with a teaching genius can provide for a level playing field. Thus bridge the ever widening gulf at the social level. Unbridled riches are likely to birth chaos to say the least.

A growing consensus is that attaining quality education and exposure to enlightenment banks on the family standing, station, influence and affluence. That, however, does not imply that the performance of all public education schools is rock bottom; nor are all private schools as the hubs of quality education. The teachers performing sub-par are not thin on the ground — another breeding ground for the falling standard of educational institutions where striving hard for producing upright, enlightened and law abiding citizenry proves a mountain to climb.

In the private / profit sector, tuition fee plays a decisive role in shaping quality. High-fee private schools do impart excellent education, but aplenty of private schools (despite taking high fee) have a smooth sailing in imparting anything but quality education. Ironically, scores of private school teachers, other than those in high salary schools, do not get minimum-wage levels of salary. Even if paid is never on time.

Do we seek this for teachers? A glaring fact concerning school teaching is in order here: eight out of ten candidates prefer greener pastures to this profession. Given that quality learning hinges on many factors, it is in place that the teacher quality and endeavor largely impact the quality of education. Notably, it is education which not only shepherds people out of the jungle of ignorance but also promotes intellectual growth leading to both their individual and social empowerment.

And above all, the noblest task of education can never be carried to the shores of progress and prosperity should teachers, the gatekeepers of education, are robbed of respect and recognition in society. Gone are the days when school teaching, it is said, was perceived as one of the prestigious jobs—more so in this part of the globe. Now hate has replaced it if truth be spoken.

Today, school teaching is uninviting and no longer the first choice profession for job seekers; they breathe easy in other fields — health, engineering, higher education, etc. Without doubt, school teaching is a back breaking activity. To shoulder it, the energy is often in short supply. Sometimes, a little motivation is required to remind yourself that you are a teacher and that your efforts bear significance. True, even the best teacher needs a little extra push every now and then.

At educational institutions, teachers encounter disrespect, misbehavior and lack of motivation or passion from students. But this situation never breaks the morale and enthusiasm of ideal teachers; they see light at the end of the tunnel and lead from the front. This is borne out by the reasonably encouraging figures of exam results.

That it is teachers who inspire students to learn wherever life may take them aside from enabling them to discover their interests, passions and themselves eventually, is hard to disregard.  It is teachers whose remarkable services yield doctors, engineers, scientists, filmmakers, architects, entrepreneurs, administrators, prime ministers and presidents; it is teachers who prepare the brains inventing internet, atom bombs, communication towers and airplanes.

Agreed that many a teacher is limitlessly self-serving and cannot see past the tip of their noses;  they draw respectable salaries  which, however, falls short in dissuading them from selling 'education' at 'coaching centres' far from the sight of the law enforcers . These non-conforming teachers manage to escape the legal eye — ostensibly through underhand means.

Though the government has appreciably taken a solemn stand against [private] coaching by government teachers, some employees— particularly teachers from school and higher education— are indulging in the illegal and invisible practice by floating norms on impunity.   This brazen defiance rips apart school education in addition to germinating economic and social inequalities. That, among other factors, in turn, spawns social insecurities.

It is believed that teachers’ work at educational institutions (schools or colleges) brings out the best from the pupils. By their teacher’s sincerest efforts, the innocence and ignorance of learners blooms into an evergreen tree yielding healthy fruit for the entire for humanity. Without teachers, the educational institutions could become the graveyards of values — honesty, hardwork, humility and dedication.

Pertinently observing teachers' day every year symbolizes not only an honour to teachers but also an irrefutable evidence that they are paramount for society. And their selfless services should not be slighted or lost sight of.

But whenever the less fortunate  teachers (in particular  the school teachers) happen to visit different offices,  humiliation and disappointment engulfs them on most occasions : their legitimate work is seen as an ordinary case and if its disposal can take  five minutes ,  days together are taken to  close it .

That leaves the gullible school teacher distraught and dejected.  Never have we experienced that a teacher's personal or even official piece of work wins priority on the premise that his/her time is invaluable and society cannot afford to kill the teacher's time.

Many moons ago, a teacher — who teaches about 200 students daily at a school— was required to collect a vital piece of paper from a department. The teacher was made to wait for many hours at a stretch though he asked the authorities that his standing there would squander the precious time of his students. Who listened? Who believed? He was not even let inside the gate of the department until some fixed time for general public to enter the premises. A five- minute piece of work consumed three hours and the teacher's self respect.

Yes several teachers loaf around on this and that pretext displaying unconcern and indifference towards their duty; disservice to nation. These teachers get their way facing no backslash — presumably by virtue of their symbiotic relations cultivated over the years with various quarters.

But we do have a share of clean handed teachers who are above reproach. These well meaning officials, at times, go beyond the call of their duty to render invaluable services to students. It is only on rarest occasions that they could be spotted out of their schools. But they too face a raw deal; this is in bad taste.  Mistreating good teacher’s amounts to rewarding the bad ones.

Additionally, we have seen teachers condemned to abysmal conditions: they are denied their property share for decades by parents and left without a roof over their head; their spouses are oppressed and treated as slaves. Tragically, these teachers are not heard or understood and their human rights are trampled scornfully. It is akin to betrayal and backstabbing when the society subjects teachers to the inhuman treatment and divides them into good and bad ones — simply on the basis of their social position.

In the same vein, it is noteworthy that a particular but major section of school teachers is suffering from stereotyping and marginalization.  Yet, these brave educators (though 70% of them were highly qualified before their induction) are giving their hundred percent—both in academic and non-academic work—whether at the elementary or secondary schools.

Social justice dictates that no teachers are plunged into the smithy of abuse on the basis of pay grade or status; yes, there are a few bad apples whose services are dismal dealing a blow to society at large. These functionaries need refinement and direction. We need sweeping reforms, not policing for course correction which underscores the need for a thorough change in the attitude towards school teaching.

One small but vital step is to make the services of all Reheber-e-Taleem (ReT) category teachers transferable. That will break the comfort zone of these stagnant teachers. Contrarily, without the right of transfer, 80 percent of these grass root level officials are losing face among the other teachers in particular and the other employees in general. This demoralizing climate largely dwarfs the performance of ReT’s and runs counter to the ultimate goal of quality education.

Second is to turn off the corruption tap hindering growth, development and justice in actuality. A teacher, victimized by bribery, somebody’s abuse of official position and indifference, can never work well with a broken heart. In fact, no person, however powerful and brave, can perform to satisfaction if she/he faces undue disgrace and extra judicial punishment.

Optimistically for attracting better brains into school teaching, the key is to unlock the rusty doors to make this profession known for privileges, respect and recognition. Money is important but most important is the sentiment of reimagining education and teachers to take on social disparities. Let us start afresh and find a pathway to lift the lower rung teachers out of the mire of apparent dejection and rejection. Nothing can change if we change nothing.

(Author is a teacher by profession and RK columnist. He can be reached at:  sheikhshabir518@gmail.com)