September 5 | Impressions

. By T.V. Antony Raj

“Teachers like being appreciated, but they usually don’t expect recognition from students. When they get it, it does feel good,”
– Suma Padmanaban, Principal of Asan Memorial Senior Secondary School.

Happy Teacher's Day

During the 20th century, the concept of celebrating Teachers’ Day took root independently in many countries. Unlike many other international days, people in many countries celebrate Teachers’ Day as a unique day to appreciate the contributions made by teachers within the field of teaching or for their service to their community. They celebrate a local educator who is or was an important milestone in education in their country or region. This is the primary reason countries are celebrating this day on different dates though the World Teachers’ Day is celebrated on October 5th every year.

Since 1962, India celebrates Teachers’ Day on September 5, the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a philosopher, statesman and the second president of India from 1962 to 1967.

According to UNESCO, the teaching profession is currently losing its status in many parts of the world.

The Voice of the Teacher Survey 2013, conducted by education service provider Pearson and market intelligence firm Spire Research and Consulting represents the views of 3,262 teachers from 223 cities across 25 states, collected between July and August.

This nationwide survey reveals that three out of four teachers rated gratitude from students as a form of recognition more valuable than the salary or praise from their employers.

Happy Teachers Day

While the study found that a majority (72%) of teachers in the south feel students adequately acknowledge them for success, 61% teachers in northern India feel there has been a decline in gratitude over the past decade.

Among cities, Jaipur has the highest percentage (85%) of teachers who feel that students thank them enough for their success. Next comes Bangalore (82%) and Chennai (78%) is listed third.

The job satisfaction levels of teachers in TN (82%) and Chennai (80%) is higher than the national average at 66%.

Happy Teacher's Day

Teachers can trim, shape and mould or maul the minds of their students the way they want. Ha Ha … I know this because I was a teacher too…

Teachers’ Day (en.wikipedia.org)
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (en.wikipedia.org)
Teachers’ Day: Tamil Nadu teachers give gratitude top marks (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
Passion and burn out of a teacher (marcusampe.wordpress.com)

. By T.V. Antony Raj

But be warned. Your teachers can trim, shape and mould or maul your minds the way they want. Ha Ha … I was a teacher too and I know.

In present times, in many countries, Teachers’ Day is a unique day for appreciating the services of teachers. It may include celebrations to honour them for their special contributions within the field of teaching or for their service in their community.

During the 20th century, the concept of celebrating Teachers’ Day took root independently in many countries. Unlike many other International Days, on Teachers’ Day people celebrate a local educator who is or was an important milestone in education.

Since 1962, India celebrates Teachers’ Day on Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s birthday on September 5 – a philosopher, statesman and the second President of India from 1962 to 1967; and since 1915, Argentina commemorates the death of activist, intellectual, writer, statesman and its seventh President, Domingo Faustino Sarmiento on September 11. This is the primary reason countries are celebrating this day on different dates.