We need more teachers

 Education is the cornerstone of societal development and thus plays a crucial role in shaping the future of our world. TEACHERS, as the backbone of the education system, are responsible for imparting knowledge, instilling the right values, and above all, nurturing young minds. 

“Teaching is the essential profession, the one that makes all other professions possible."

However, one does not need to be a rocket scientist or a nuclear physicist, to see that there is a significant shortage of qualified teachers in many parts of the world. The fact there is a Global education gap is undeniable, and to add to that, there are still millions of children worldwide who do not have access to quality education. Quite a pickle for the world to be in indeed. 

What surprises me and I am sure many other discerning individuals as well, is the unpleasant fact that most Governments do not seem to be comprehending the looming crisis, or if they are, they are dragging their feet, and for me, that defies logic.

According to the World Economic Forum's- Global Risks Report 2023, the world's top current risks are energy, food, inflation, and the overall cost of living crisis. I suggest they add “shortage of teachers” to that ominous list. 

This raises a few extremely pertinent questions.

What is the plan going forward to address this shortfall? 

Why is teaching not a preferred vocation? 

What’s the solution?  

On World Teachers’ Day, the Director-general of UNESCO called on all governments around the world to step up their support for teachers, warning that the profession is struggling to retain its workforce and attract new talent. Worldwide, 69 million teachers are needed to reach universal basic education by 2030. The largest deficit is in Asia & sub-Saharan Africa. Lack of direct government support, inadequate training, unattractive working conditions, and insufficient funding, all undermine this noble profession and aggravate the existing global learning crisis. Factors such as low salaries, limited career progression, and excessive workload are contributory forces that are driving people away from teaching. 

Don’t get me wrong – Teaching is still very respected. In fact, there is no nobler profession. In countries like Finland, Switzerland, Norway, and Japan it is said that teachers are more trusted than their army. However, that thought needs to fan out- the quicker, the better. 

As societies evolve, and the world zooms forward, everything has become more complex. The demand for specialized knowledge and skills has increased manifold, and the education landscape is in a period of change.

 The emergence of umpteen new technologies, evolving curriculum requirements, advanced research in pedagogy, the need for personalized instructions and individual attention, and catering to the learning styles of pupils, have all put more pressure on teachers. With the emergence of AI, there are additional responsibilities and teachers must keep pace. Teachers who trained yesterday are being called upon to upskill, to prepare students of today, on how to face tomorrow, and no one has a clue what that tomorrow will look like!

I don’t want to sound like a prophet of doom, but, with fewer and fewer people entering the teaching profession, the quality will take a beating in the very near future. That in turn will surely impact school leadership as well. It is a downward spiral that must be arrested for the common good.

Here are two thoughts that come to mind. 

Quite a few countries have initiated compulsory national service or military training, lasting a year or two, and that is a great idea that has proved to be successful. Let’s look at why countries have made this service mandatory.

Mandatory national service fosters unity and brings people from diverse backgrounds together. Compulsory service saves the government money and provides benefits to all citizens. Performing national service helps young people mature, build character, master certain skills, and serve as a bridge to adulthood.

The most populous country in the world – India, has the National cadet corps which was established in 1948. Look at what the NCC is all about 

Cadets in the NCC develop qualities of character, courage, commandership, discipline, leadership, secular outlook, the spirit of adventure and sportsmanship, and the ideals of selfless service among the youth to make them useful citizens in the future. The NCC also creates a human resource of organized, trained, and motivated youth, to provide leadership in all walks of life, including the Armed Forces, and be always available for the service of the nation.

Why can we not think of a period of compulsory teaching service? It will do all the above and more.  

It will build character, cultivate social responsibility, and teach needed skillsets, manners, and communication. It will foster empathy and understanding while teaching adaptability, respect, positivity, accountability, and the like. By serving as teachers for a period, individuals will become active participants in the betterment of society and will be contributing to shaping the next generation. They will also get to witness the transformative power of education, firsthand.

 I can think of no better way for the youth to serve their nation – a win-win situation for all.

 Not everyone can be a great teacher, and that is a known fact. However, there are many others who make wonderful teachers, and they never knew they had it in them. Thus, there is every likelihood of more people entering the profession.

There is a well-known saying – “If you are planning for a year, sow rice; if you are planning for a decade, plant trees; if you are planning for a lifetime, educate people.”