Those who educate children well are more to be honoured than they who produce them, for they only gave them life, those the art of living well.” said Aristotle, for teachers make a landmark contribution to people’s lives. Teachers shape the future of a nation. A government or its bureaucracy which is indifferent to the needs of its teachers is doing them a great disservice, indicative of not just its economic but also mental bankruptcy.
It is shameful that teachers —who made us what we are —are lathi-charged for demanding better salaries and working conditions. Can a Teacher deliver his or her best in the Classroom when he has no economic benefits and Job security. Whose fault is it anyway—Government policies or Government Teachers—that they are forced to leave the corridors of educational institutions for the streets to protest. Dampening the spirit of some teachers will drain the rest too, of their passion and spirit. If the politicians can have a 5 per cent wage increase every year , why should the teachers not be given increased wages and better service conditionsIJ
Education is an essential service and frequent strikes certainly affects students badly. But if the Government attends to the legitimate demands of teachers as a priority, such strikes can be averted .
—Anupam Anant, Senior Manager, Jindal Steel and Power limited