Education : Attracting Teachers !

"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." - Mark Twain

Thanks to Dr S. Radhakrishnan, we at least remember Teachers on 5th September.

Dr. Radhakrishnan was of the opinion that education could solve many ills of the society. He wanted to change the educational system by improving the quality of education and building up a strong relationship between the teacher and the student. But with the shortage of Teachers, how can we ever bring this change!

The real job of a teacher is to create curiosity about the subject in the mind of the student. But unfortunately there are many drop outs and humongous expectations from school teacher.

For time immemorial teaching is considered as noble profession but we have failed to fairly compensate and respect teachers. Often teaching is looked down and not considered as one of the most sought after profession.

However its time we accept and recognize education as an industry where students, the governments, the society and even the teachers are the consumers, and view teachers as intellectual capital. It is ridiculous to even think of reforms in education without addressing the concerns of teachers. It is therefore necessary that we immediately come up with practical solutions to address their concerns.

Attracting teachers to low profile school is indeed difficult. In government schools, teacher’s job is transferable and accountability remains confined along vertical lines of control. The education inspector rarely visits schools in far flung rural areas and reprimand the offenders. Moreover there are no substitute teachers in a single –teacher schools. In addition the strength of class creates unimaginable teacher to student ratio and induces additional stress. About time we investigate the actual percentage of fund allocations in primary and secondary schools, take feedback from students and teachers, analyse the percentages of repeaters and study the demographics.

In rural areas and even in elite Macaulay schools, compensation and working conditions need to be revamped to attract qualified teachers. Better wages does not promise immediate improvement in education but it certainly helps to attract good talent. Even hiring teachers on contract should be explored albiet it could fail to establish a long term Guru- Shisya tradition ( teacher- student rapport) essential in the formative years.

Designing teacher compensation to increase quality, quantity and equitable distribution could be daunting but an attempt should be made in this direction. Moreover performance incentives, exchange programmes, regular training in their subjects and soft skills will help attract good professionals to schools. Perhaps the syllabus of B.Ed and D.Ed needs to be revised. Local arts, craftsmenship and vocational training must be compulsory imparted at school levels to encourage underpriveledge children to attend school.

Good leadership, regular mentoring coupled with proper investment in work environment, good facilities for teachers, text books, stationeries and adequate time for planning and development could attract qualified people into teaching.

How about encouraging post graduate or even MBA students to regularly intern for a month or two at primary/ secondary school. Perhaps some of them will go on to become excellent educationist, school administrators and teachers in future.

As CSR initiative, employees can spend at least a day every month in schools and assist in administration, conduct training for teachers and students. And certainly we need more Teach India Campaign.

Ninad Karpe in his blog reforming education http://www.reformingeducation.in/?cat=4 presents some wonderful statistics and states that India will face an acute shortage of teachers.
Unfortunately there is no dearth of Ideas…Ironically, what we lack is the …Inclination to Implement!...

Any suggestions…