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Mohd Abbas Abdul Razak, PhD
First and foremost, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to all teachers who are devoted to their profession, regardless of the level they teach or the part of the world they come from. Teachers play a vital role in shaping the next generation of professionals and leaders. In recognition of the immense sacrifices they make, Teacher’s Day is celebrated around the world. This special occasion to honour educators is observed at different times of the year in various countries. In Malaysia, Teacher’s Day is celebrated annually on the 16th of May.
Teachers in the Society
Teachers occupy a special position in society. They are respected for their expertise, knowledge, and contributions to the community. When I think of teachers, I am reminded of a powerful quote: “A poet is not made, but born. A good teacher is not born, but made.” To be a good teacher, it takes years of experience and refinement of their art of teaching.
A first-time teacher on the job struggles with many issues in his or her career, from self-confidence to classroom management. The thing with teaching is that all teachers should get three things right in conducting a class. First and foremost is mastery of the material he or she wants to teach. Second is the methodology. And the third aspect is the personality of the teacher.
Teachers in our lives come next to our parents. While children are at home, they are protected by their parents, and when at school, by their teachers. A teacher’s life can be described through the analogy of a candle—they burn themselves to give light to others. Teachers may be professionals who teach the same material year in and year out, but they are the ones who impact us in many ways. They are not only seen as providers of knowledge, but also as individuals who discipline and shape us.
There is a well-known fact among teachers: while they stand in the same place, repeating the same lessons, the students under their care go on to rise to great heights—becoming engineers, doctors, lawyers, and sometimes even the president or prime minister of a country.
Despite their hard work and immense contribution to society, in many countries, teachers are not well paid. When it comes to job preferences, teaching is not a favourite choice among young people. Though teachers may not become millionaires through their salaries, the greatest joy they receive is when their students grow into successful individuals and reconnect with them later in life. The happiness they feel in such moments is truly indescribable.
Challenges Faced by Teachers
Many people don’t feel empathetic toward teachers. As individuals deeply committed to their careers, teachers often hide their pain and struggles, dividing their time between family responsibilities and their work in schools or academia. At times, they may become emotional when things take a counterproductive turn, whether at home or in the workplace. After all, teachers, like everyone else, are human beings too.
The results teachers produce through their hard work are often seen as a rewarding experience. However, in modern times, many overprotective parents tend to belittle the efforts of teachers and develop negative perceptions of them. Worse still, some go as far as making condescending remarks, thereby undermining the valuable work teachers do.
In many parts of the world, teachers are experiencing a great deal of stress due to an ever-increasing workload. Many school administrators and members of management committees fail to understand that the most important aspect of a teacher’s profession is the ability to effectively deliver the subject matter of their teaching in front of the classroom. Compared to class delivery, all other paperwork is secondary to a teacher’s performance in front of the students. If a teacher fails to stimulate interest in the topics they teach, students may lose motivation to learn, which could lead to poor performance in that subject.
Most work done by professionals stops after the specified work hours, except teaching. A teacher’s work doesn’t end after teaching hours; it is carried on when the teacher is outside the school or academia. The teacher’s mind is constantly engaged in preparing for what to teach the following day or week.
Student evaluation is a crucial aspect of a teacher’s responsibilities. From setting exam papers to marking them and entering the marks, each task must be carried out with care. Any errors made in the process can have serious consequences and may negatively impact a teacher’s standing.
Another challenge many teachers face in their careers is dealing with problematic students who exhibit attitude issues. Guiding them to become better individuals is often easier said than done.
Teaching from an Islamic Perspective
Teaching, from an Islamic perspective, is a noble and highly respected duty. When viewed through the Qur’anic lens, the role of a teacher closely resembles that of the prophets of God. The primary mission of a prophet was to convey the divine message, calling people towards spirituality, morality, and the eradication of ignorance. Similarly, a teacher carries out the important task of guiding others toward moral betterment and leading them to the straight path of God.
The following Hadith of the Holy Prophet (SAW) honours those who teach the Qur’an to others:
“The best among you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari)
In addition, the message in the following Hadith also serves as a powerful source of encouragement for teachers to continue striving in their mission:
“When a person dies, his deeds come to an end except for three: Sadaqah Jariyah (continuous charity), beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.”
(Sahih Muslim)
Concluding Remarks:
In recognition of the significant contributions teachers make to their students and society, governments around the world should honour educators and provide them with meaningful incentives for their dedication and commitment to shaping future leaders. Without schools and teachers, a nation’s dream of achieving greatness would be unattainable. Therefore, countries where teachers are not adequately compensated should consider revising their salary structures to ensure that educators can meet their needs. When teachers are well-supported and content, it is hoped they will demonstrate even greater enthusiasm and effectiveness in their work.
(The views expressed are those of Dr. Mohd Abbas Abdul Razak from the Department of Fundamental and Interdisciplinary Studies, AHAS KIRKHS, IIUM, and do not necessarily represent the views of Potret Online.)
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