Too late to address teachers!

With teachers in the street for the past four weeks pressing for appropriate federal law for School teachers, the ruling political parties and the government have not only failed to convince the agitators about fulfilling their demand, but also been unable to initiate talks on the issue. Democratic process and values have been ignored in the whole act. Both sides should have been clear about it. Teachers have through organizing a great month-long protest clarified that they want assurance about the law, sidelined under one excuse or the other by various governments in the past eight years. What the teachers want could be described as normal demand from working teachers. The government should have developed a formula to earn trust from the agitators. The more the government considers the matter as not urgent the demonstration will expand in coverage and support. Some simple conflict tackling technique could bring the teachers and government into one theme-frame. Intensifying the same through mutual understanding of the problems could explore some valid point for uplifting the cause of education. Teachers should also display great understanding and have patience in looking for the laws they want. They should understand that their street action, while democratic and focused, would not be able to tackle problems in School system. They should after all go through government way of doing business and tackling problems concerned. Problems in School education or any irritants in this regard could adversely impact students particularly their learning opportunities. This is what both the government and teachers do not want. That is why the government should initiate efforts for confidence building and earning trust from teachers; it should then consult with teachers about the way to meet their grievances. Both sides should come out of their comfort zone and focus on the urgent educational challenges. Failure of government and teachers to solve the problem in time has already resulted in some damage to students’ cause: Class 12 Board Exam has already been victimized by the teacher’s move. Teachers should also know that they cannot run pressure tactics for long. After all they have to return to Classroom. In the meanwhile expediting the process of finalizing the School Education Bill should be emphasized. Care should be taken that the teacher’s move would in no way evolve into a political move targeted against the government. The government should do all it can to meet the demand of Gurus. No side has option for sticking strictly to their wishes. For the sake of students and the broad goal of education, teachers and government should find out a way out of the street. Let both sides take care of their respective duties to the new generation!