Penalising teachers no solution

 

 

The editorial on corporal punishment (TSI, July 19-25) was thought-provoking. It is said: A poor teacher complains. An average teacher explains. A good teacher teaches. And a great teacher inspires. The problem in India is that we have only poor teachers. They think the job of a teacher is to torture students. So, penalising teachers who resort to corporal punishment isn’t a solution. It is true that everyone doesn’t have the talent to become a teacher. But, the real problem is the low quality of teachers’ training courses. It is the poorly trained teachers who resort to corporal punishment. The teachers’ training courses focus on just rote learning. While doing course, teachers rarely get the opportunity to interact with children. Such an interaction is the only way to understand child psychology. A good teachers’ training course is one that helps hone their talent. The government should make it mandatory for teachers to have B.Ed degree. Also, the government should provide incentives to teachers so that good students can be attracted to teaching profession. A good student is always a good teacher. And this is how things will change soon for good.

E.A. Ibrahim

Vyttila, Kerala