Candle in the wind

by Sajitha Prematunge

Even though my ambitions changed from Astronaut to journalist from time to time I never aspired to be a teacher. No offense meant. I never wanted to be a teacher because I knew how difficult it would really be. It takes that special tact, a sense of caring and loads of patience to be able to be a good teacher, and these are extremely rare in most individuals.

World teacher's day was celebrated on the 6th of October, in schools world over. In Sri Lanka, a place where the profession of teaching holds a high place, this day is always a great scurry of activities, with programmes conducted during the greater part of the day in order to honour its teachers.

I remember worshipping all the teachers I studied under, on every teacher's day until my knees started to ache. On teacher's day older students and prefects collaborate with parents to make it an annual possibility, in schools all over Sri Lanka. The whole programme is coloured by aesthetic items, dances, felicitation songs topped with offering bouquets and worshipping their beloved teachers.

But the question whether a 'teachers day' is essential arises just as whether we need any of the other internationally celebrated days. With over four international days overlapping on the 1st of October the opinion, that we might just be overwhelmed by too many international days, occurred to many.

The former Principal of the Kandane Gedara Dharmapala Mahavidyalaya, B. M. J. Mendis told the Sunday Observerthat in the past, the student teacher relationship relied upon individual respect and understanding.

"But at a time when the economic, political, social and cultural anomalies affect the children, the respect and love children feel for their teachers seem to be somewhat diminishing as well." B. M. J. Mendis further explained that the student teacher relationship must never be a distant relationship.

Irrespective of the technological advancements in the recent past 'Distant learning' is not suitable for the very young students. "It suits more mature students who've already acquired the necessary guidance beforehand by their teachers."

Physical presence of a teacher is of utmost importance for young students. Further more B. M. J. Mendis said that any alteration to the Sri Lankan education system should be in accordance with the political, economic, social and cultural make up of the country.

We cannot simply follow suit with Western countries. "Both students and teachers have to be provided guidance."

Moreover he stated that until very recently there was no need for a teacher's day. But now it's gradually becoming an essential event.

There is no harm in celebrating a teacher's day once a year. It facilitates and enhances the student teacher relationship. But a doubt arises whether it's we who need it or the Westerners who are facing a critical cultural dilemma.