A Teacher Considered To Be a Public Intellectual

Introduction

Teachers are indeed public figures to admire. Some may define a teacher as someone who nurtures the mind of a student, and some may argue that a teacher has not one but multiple dimensions. A teacher not only makes you have the thought and the admiration of going to school but also has the consideration of viewing people fairly while caring for someone’s insecurity. Teachers are the paramount cornerstone of a person’s intellectuality as they work enthusiastically and tirelessly inorder to serve the society with future leaders. In this paper we are going to discuss about Mahatma Gandhi who was one of the most profound teachers of all time as he was regarded as a public intellectual.

A public intellectual

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, or by his popular name “Mahatma Gandhi” which beard the meaning of a “great soul” was of Hindu origin, born in Porbandar, north west of India on October 1869 (History, 2014). Keeping into line with Hindu principles which were vegetarianism and sexual abstinence, he also showed a keen interest in other religions like Christianity and Buddhism by studying their physiological aspects.

During his tenure to work on contract in an Indian company in South Africa, he was at the forefront in fighting segregation and discrimination that was there in South Africa, as that facilitated his prolonged stay contrary to the one year contract the company had offered him. The “apartheid” rule that existed in South Africa served as a clear catalyst for his fight of fairness for his fellow citizens. He had a rather different tactic in presenting his voice as he facilitated the non-violent mode of approach under his newly formed Natal Indian Congress. Mahatma was very well known for his peaceful demonstration and his wise quotes all over the world that he got many followers who were impressed by his techniques and his teachings as he proved his gentle approach on a day to day routine life, and the unmatched wisdom he had was a true testament that an intellectual strength does not equal the physical capacity. According to Zoe D (2012) he quoted “Be the change that you want to see in the world”. His teachings and inspirations spread all over the world like a plague touching many mindsets that existed at the time.

This demonstration of intellectuality standards are to be adhered to whenever one is in a position of evaluation the quality or the mindset of an individual. Critical thinking involves possession of all this standards (Linda and Richard, 2013). Once a student ventures into a classroom, the teacher has the most significant influence than the parent as a larger percentage of the day he spends teaching and nurturing the student. Methods that Gandhi used were purely non-violent as this was seen even in the Second World War where he advocated that the Indians should not go and fight for the British and at the same time be oppresses at home (History, 2012). His efforts were not confined to a classroom as he was the teacher of the world. His ideologies are some of the factors that lead to India’s independence against the British.

This clearly proves that teaching is a gift where the bearer must possess the passion of tackling and trying to solve issues in a manner acceptable. This mode teaching should be inducted to students both in the confines of the classroom and the environs of the world for the betterment of the future endeavors. As Gandhi continued educating the world and at the same time spearheading for the end of oppression in South Africa and India, so must the sense of brotherhood flourish among people of different races across the universe.

If all valuable teaching and ways of intellectuals are undocumented, they disappear for future implementation and application of use for aspiring teachers and tutors to get insights from. The life lived by Mahatma Gandhi was very admirable and selfless as his teachings continue to reflect in our day to day existence in this world. His works have even be included in some of the teaching syllabuses of the world which is a paramount thing to be done.

Teacher’s recognition as public intellectuals

Tutors have shown as a major resource for information, as their skills are indispensible both the private and public sector. In our current system, teachers hardly get appreciated for their duties as some of their efforts go unnoticed, many are the one that bear the mentality the a teachers daily routine of coming and sharing his knowledge is one of the least activities or duties that are supposed to be performed by them. This should be substituted by teacher appraisal programs inorder to encourage the teachers to teach effectively and fill the gaps in a student’s achievements, which may be carried out in schools as an effort of appreciation for their duties and services carried out in the society. The bodies in charge of governing teachers relations should enlist and promote the teachers level of education by offering free seminars, discussion forums and also offer bursaries to teachers who want to improve their studies in both local and foreign universities. An assessment and appraisal notification should be offered be given to teachers concerning their performances and salary increases and progression.

This appreciation processes are supposed to be done as often as possible inorder to develop a sense of satisfaction to the mindset of the teachers who in turn will have a higher possibility of improving his services offered in the schools and in the society at large. Honorary certifications are supposed to be awarded to best teaching staff in a school annually, as a form of recognition of their work. Annually the teachers performance is supposed to be rated and assessed to ensure sustainability of their efforts over the years to come.

Excellent working conditions are to be observed by the school committee to ensure that the teachers find ease while teaching in the classroom and wile accessing social amenities in the school surrounding. In pursuit of that, teachers are to be given manageable hours during teaching and, and also shifts should vary during the teaching period as they should be given time to rest within their teaching schedule. A manageable number of students should be given to teachers, to ensure that they can be able to give each and every student the attention required at ease.

Conclusion

With much said, the efforts of regarding teachers as intellectuals lies in the hands of the society and the bodies that are concerned with teachers relations. As the efforts of Mahatma Gandhi, inspired the world, so should we be inspired by the efforts made by teachers in the society to educate future leaders for the betterment of our lives.

References

History (2012). “MAHATMA GHANDI”. Accessed on March 4, 2014, retrieved from < http://www.history.co.uk/biographies/mahatma-gandhi>

D, Zoe,. (2012). “ Intellectuality”. Acessed on March 4, 2014, retrieved from < http://www.goodreads.com/intellectuality >

Elder, Linda. Paul, Richards. (2012), “Universal intellectual standards”. Accessed on March 4, 2014, Retrieved from < http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/universal-intellectual-standards/527 >