Salute to Teachers

The Coronavirus Disease 19 (Covid-19) pandemic has brought new challenges to the
teaching profession.

For teachers, this crisis has been a twist of fate and a battle to face. Though teachers’
daily routine has not changed for they still need to wake up early and sleep late at night
to prepare for lessons and teaching materials, they have to make countless adjustments
in order to respond to the needs and requirements of education in the new normal.

However, with almost everyone mandated to stay at home, it seems that not all are
quite aware of the amount of tasks school teachers have. At some points, the
contributions of teachers to the development of tomorrow’s generation, and the
country’s overall development, are not acknowledged and there is sometimes, little
appreciation for their sterling contribution.

But today’s reality shows that teachers’ service and sacrifices are commendable. These
days, teachers have made changes in the way they teach: from the usual face to face
lesson delivery before the pandemic to the different modes of distance learning at
present.

Moreover, lesson preparation becomes more tedious and time consuming for teachers
have to prepare for envelopes, weekly home learning plans, modules, activity sheets,
video explainers and other teaching materials, for more than hundred or even thousand
students. In school alleys and even in midday heat, teachers can be seen sorting and
carrying boxes of envelopes and papers. Many start their days before the sun comes up,
rarely have time to sit down during the day, take papers home to check and grade at
night, and then start all over the next day.

From school days to even weekends, teachers have to prepare learning materials,
attend webinars to be more knowledgeable, and accomplish reports in order to ensure
that learning continues.

With the threat of virus infection lingering around, teachers have fears for their health
and safety, as they also have worries and concerns over their students – the ones whom
they consider as children. However, their fear for the pandemic and their uncertainties
on what this pandemic holds, did not hinder their passion for education. They
courageously and fervently do their obligation as teachers. They educate their students
to the best that they can do. They have tried all means to reach out and communicate
with their students and parents while also strictly observing and adhering to all the
health and safety protocols.

Also, as a result of these changing conditions, teachers have become the ultimate
multitaskers – they continuously learn from their experiences; discover, adjust and work
out all the ways for distance education to be successful. Teachers have found creative
ways for their students to observe, understand and learn concepts in action even
without face to face learning. They do not only teach their students of facts, but also of
higher thinking skills. They teach children to learn how to figure things on their own,
solve problems and become lifelong learners. More than being teachers, they also
become students’ counselors and confidantes. They help students understand more of
the meaning life, find motivation for their dreams and guide them to become
hardworking, reliable and truthful citizens of the country.

Undeniably, this new normal is not ideal, there are numerous hindrances and
challenges, but teachers are doing all that they can for education to champion. They
have exerted great efforts and have made silent sacrifices for students whom they have
never met, and perhaps will never have the chance to handle once face to face learning
resumes.

But even without seeing each other physically, the teachers’ ardent drive for their
students to learn and become better individuals, is always perceptible.

Indeed, teacher efforts should be well appreciated, given all they do and sacrifice in
order to shape countless young minds and help make this country a better place.
Outside the homes, and even for many households, teachers are the ones with the
greatest influence in helping a child determine his future.

Teachers will never complain for the sacrifices they continuously give to their vocation,
but a flicker of gratitude – a sincerest smile of thanks, will surely keep them motivated
and steadfast in ensuring a brighter future for the children.