On Teachers’ Day, the real question is not how much we praise teachers, but whether we give them the freedom, dignity and resources to shape the future Every September 5, schools across India celebrate Teachers’ Day with cultural programmes, greetings and felicitation ceremonies. Teachers are praised as “nation builders,” “mentors” and “architects of the future.” They deserve those honours. But Teachers’ Day should mean more than applause. It should also prompt us to examine the system in which teachers are expected to perform one of society’s most important responsibilities. The real question is simple: Are we giving teachers the environment they need to teach effectively?

A Teacher in the Classroom, an Employee on Paper A teacher’s primary responsibility is to teach, answer questions, recognise talent and help students become responsible human beings. Yet records, reports, online entries, surveys, meetings and other administrative duties increasingly consume time meant for classrooms. The problem is not responsibility. It is imbalance. A teacher should support administration, but should not be buried under it. If professionals in other fields were routinely pulled away from their core responsibilities, it would raise serious questions. Teaching deserves the same attention. Education Must Go Beyond Marks Education has gradually become a chain: examinations, marks and marks-based definitions of success. We ask students, “How much did you score?” But we should also ask: What did you learn?

What are you curious about? What problems can you solve?

What can you contribute to society?

Marks matter, but education cannot end with a certificate. Its larger purpose is to develop the ability to think, question, decide and take responsibility. A student may score 95 per cent and still need to learn how to handle failure, respect others, exercise judgement and navigate real-life challenges. From Memorising to Creating Education must move beyond rote learning. Memorise less. Understand more. Understand deeply. Apply practically. And ultimately, create. Science should explain principles, not merely formulas. History should explore causes and consequences, not just dates. Literature should build sensitivity, while mathematics should strengthen reasoning. When students begin asking “Why?”, education becomes truly meaningful. AI Can Provide Answers. Teachers Build Judgement. Artificial intelligence and digital technology have dramatically expanded access to information. Students can now find answers within seconds. But information is not wisdom. Machines can provide answers; teachers teach students how to question them. The teacher’s role will therefore evolve, not disappear. Teachers must help students assess information, recognise misinformation and use AI ethically and intelligently. The goal is not to keep students away from AI, but to ensure they use technology without becoming dependent on it. A School Must Be a Place of Trust Today’s students ask more questions, express opinions and sometimes disagree with teachers. That should not automatically be labelled indiscipline. Questioning can be the beginning of genuine learning. At the same time, students must understand that independent thinking and discipline can coexist. Respect should come from knowledge, trust and behaviour—not fear. Schools must also recognise the pressures students face from competition, examinations, career uncertainty and expectations. A school should therefore be more than a place of instruction. It should be a safe space where students can speak, seek guidance and be heard. Sometimes, a child needs not another lesson, but someone willing to listen. Parents Are Partners, Not Pressure Points Education does not begin and end at school. Parents play an equally important role in shaping a child’s confidence and character. Every child is different, and constant comparison can weaken rather than strengthen potential. Before asking a child to compete, understand their interests. Before focusing on weaknesses, recognise their strengths. And before looking at marks, look at the child. Respect the Profession, Not Just the Person Government schools need adequate resources, infrastructure, trained teachers and supportive environments. Private institutions, too, must respect teachers’ time, effort and professional dignity. Education may be a service, but teaching is a profession—and professional work deserves dignity and fair recognition. A teacher’s contribution cannot always be measured through examination results. Sometimes it appears years later, when a former student returns and says: “You supported me when I needed it. That is why I am here today.” That achievement may never appear in a report, but it is fundamental to nation-building. What Needs to Change A stronger education system requires practical reforms: Reduce non-academic duties so teachers can focus on teaching. Provide continuous professional training, including AI and modern teaching methods. Reform examinations to test understanding, reasoning and problem-solving. Strengthen libraries and laboratories alongside digital learning. Give sports and arts their rightful place in education. Promote vocational and skill-based education as respected career pathways. Strengthen parent-teacher partnerships around the child’s development. Provide emotional support so students have trusted avenues for help. Protect teachers’ professional dignity and include them meaningfully in educational decision-making. Make holistic development the goal, alongside academic achievement. The Greatest Teachers’ Day Gift Flowers, greetings and ceremonies are meaningful. But the greatest tribute to teachers would be an education system in which they can teach with dignity, freedom and the resources they need. Respect them not only on the stage, but in the classroom. Value not only their achievements, but their time. Call them nation builders—but give them the tools to build the nation. Because a teacher does more than complete a syllabus. A teacher sparks curiosity, builds confidence, encourages resilience and helps young people understand the difference between knowledge and wisdom. A Different Teachers’ Day Resolution This Teachers’ Day, the pledge should go beyond saying thank you. It should be a commitment to ensure: Quality education for every child. Respect for every teacher. Freedom to question in every classroom. Resources and compassion in every school. Knowledge over rote learning. And education that ultimately creates better human beings. India does not need only degree holders. It needs young people who can think critically, recognise truth, make responsible decisions, use technology wisely and understand their responsibility towards society. No curriculum alone can accomplish that. For that, we need teachers. So, this Teachers’ Day, instead of merely saying, “You are the builders of the nation,” perhaps we should ask: Have we given the builders of our nation the respect, freedom and resources they need to build it?

That question can transform Teachers’ Day from a ceremonial occasion into a national moment of reflection on education. Because ultimately, respecting teachers is not merely about respecting teachers—it is about respecting the future we are placing in the hands of the next generation.