TEACHING: ONCE A NOBLE PROFESSION, TODAY AN EXPEDIENCY!

I am not a teacher but I am an awakener- Robert Frost.

By AFREEN MANZOOR

In the midst of the chilly waves and the onset of the winters and the changing temperature across the Valley of Mountains i.e., KASHMIR. The DSEK announced winter vacations in phased manner in Valley from pre-primary to higher secondary level.
For Pre-Primary- Nov 26, 2025- Feb 28, 2026, Classes 1st- 8th – Dec1-Feb 28, 2026 and for Classes 9th -12th- Dec 11,2025- Feb 26, 2026. It’s been a while ever since the winter break got announced, one question embarked and that is: what about the working class in the schools of Kashmir in the private sector? What about their rights, health benefits, monetary avenues and break period?
This has been a forever thing in Kashmir that Teachers in the Private sector are supposedly asked to come to schools or if they are given a break than there are chances of no or minimum wages. Why such inhuman actions? Why this illegitimate behavior? as there is no advisory committee in Kashnir as of now. J&K has adopted NCFFS (2022) to address local educational needs, RTE Act and MOE guidelines (2020/2021) but missing enforcement and standardization. But, why? as it takes the big hearts in order to shape the little minds.
When it comes to the teaching prospects and the academic achievements, the private schools have good results. They take positions. They have good school ratio/ number and charge hefty amount of fees as well.
Talking about the charges of the teachers in schools, the average salary in private schools in Kashmir ranges from 9k to 22k where in a fresher would be given in between 7k-9k (A Kashmir Life Report).
With the high academic qualifications and exemplary efficiencies, the pillars of nation are not paid according to the due manner as they should. And, no one talks about the same? Either the charges are low or the pay cut or late payment aspect is always rolling over the head.
As Christa McAuliffe says that I touch the future I teach, therefore the educators/teachers have a great role to play when it comes to the holistic development of the child. They have the prescribed pedagogy and the required skills to observe and understand the uniqueness that every other individual has as it’s rightly said that every individual is born with innate powers and understanding the uniqueness is in itself a unique attribute and when those talented beings are not required in the best manner possible that is unethical in practice. It is a matter of appreciation, appraisal and applauded that makes an individual to feel the innate content and solace within. Teaching is an art and an artist needs appreciation and applaud as Malala Yusufzai rightly says that One Book, One Pen, One Child, One Teacher can change the world wherein she lays emphasis on the Collective Power. A teacher affects eternity and he can never tell that where his influence and attributes stop.
Way Forward:
Private School Association in collaboration with the School Education Department should devise a standardized payroll for the Private School Education Sector.
A Commission/ Advisory body should be made by the government authorities which should be standardized. It would enhance accountability, transparency and efficiency.
As when there would be a robust mechanism and the threshold from behind, the rights of both the educators and the educand won’t be subjugated in any way.
It is a matter of fact that such matters cannot be laid at back, someone has to pin point and the prior action should be taken as Educators/Teachers are the Nation Builders. They shape the young minds and curate them in the best manner possible. They direct, motivate, guide and influence the youth who have the capacity and inbuilt mechanisms to be the change maker and formulate a nation which is better, brighter and prosperous with the high spirit to grow.

Teaching is an art and at the same time, it is a noble profession that shapes and transforms the young minds. An educator curates the child’s mind, provides knowledge, skills and a framework that shapes their life’s trajectory. They empower students to empower change by fostering curiosity and enhancing critical thinking.

In today’s tech- driven world, educators guide us with acquiring right knowledge, skills, selecting resources and navigating through the information over-loaded. They understand a pupil’s mental state through body language, identifying their emotional well-being and needs.

Yet, in the society we live in, teachers- the nation builders often lack the due respect and dignity. They deserve equal respect, fair compensation and recognition of their role in shaping the youth, the pillars of the nation. Teachers possess the art of enhancing critical thinking, analytical ability and curiosity. Let’s prioritize respecting and dignifying their noble profession as Dan Rather rightly says, “The dream begins with a teacher who believes in you, who tugs and pushes and leads you to the next plateau, sometimes poking you with a sharp stick called the truth”.