In a recent conversation with his grandma Manti, who is a star teacher of the region, Gemma, a second-year HSC student let out his career choice of becoming a teacher like her. Inspired as he was by her success and reputation, he was all set to go for a degree in his favourite subject.

But quite familiar with Gemma?s easy-going attitude to work and character, the highly-respected teacher that Manti was warned her grandson that teaching is not just anybody?s job: it requires dedication and a lot of sacrifice; it has often been likened to priesthood, a sacred calling.

She added that teaching is directly related to curious, enthusiastic young minds; that the teacher cannot stop them from growing up and later expressing all sorts of opinions on him; that just waiting for the salary at the end of the month, thinking of extra monetary gain and long school holidays would lead him to total failure as a teacher.

Indeed much has been written about the teacher and teaching in the Education outlook of l?express. Some top professionals and eminent persons of the country have disclosed their inner feelings ? as well as their deep gratitude and respect for their best teachers. Among them are those who have honoured their teachers for their noble work. Although some of them (the teachers) have long retired or even passed away, decades after their memory still lives on: their teachings continue to guide people and instil freshness in their day-to-day lives. These people look back on their school days as the most glorious stage of development as an individual. Such is the overpowering influence of the teacher on students.

Through his personal magnetism, the teacher often becomes a role model. What he passes on to his students is generally received, analysed, assimilated and gradually translated into action. In time the students love what is taught. Thanks to his knowledge and leisurely pace of teaching, the students frequently adore the subject they earlier hated, so much so that they specialise in it.

The social responsibility of the teacher is thus far-reaching. Because the teacher has in his or her class children that will matter to the country some day, he or she should have some special attributes.

Among them are commitment, compassion, discipline, exemplary conduct, a forward-looking approach, mind resilience, resourcefulness, a sense of humour and unselfishness. If someone does not have these qualities, he or she must not think of choosing a teaching career.

Perhaps the glowing tribute of Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space on 12 April 1961, paid to the teacher is worth remembering. He said the teacher opens up for mankind a radiant road to life, leads men into new paths of knowledge and towards perfection. The teacher reveals to our gaze the treasure ? house of human culture, the secrets of nature and the majesty of labour.

Kaviraj SOHUR