A young professor of
sociology in the prestigious Johns Hopkins University, Maryland state, USA,
sent his students on a special assignment to the slums of Baltimore. They were
directed to study systematically the living conditions, background, attitudes,
aptitudes, aspirations and prospects of 200 children residing in the slums and
make scientific predictions about their probable future. The students
interviewed 200 poor boys from the slums
and studied their sociological and economic background and problems. After
analysis they predicted that at least 90% (i.e.180) of them were sure to grow
up as criminals and end up in prisons.
The report of the results
of their research and the 200 cards describing the details of each boy, were
left in the Department. It was discovered about 25 years later by the
Professor. Out of curiosity, he asked a fresh batch of students to enquire
about the present fate of the 200 boys in order to verify the accuracy of the
predictions of the earlier batch. They could meet 90% (i.e. 180) of the
original 200 boys.
The results of the new investigation were very
surprising. Only four of them had ever been to a jail. The rest of them had
developed their career successfully and were well placed in society. Many of
them had become renowned service-minded citizens.
They were asked about
the factors that led to their successful transformation. The investigators
received the same answer from all of them. They acknowledged with gratitude the
sincere and selfless services of a lady teacher who taught them in the local
school. She had provided timely advices and valuable guidance to them during
their school days. Her tremendous influence was a corrective force throughout
their life.
The students searched
for this mysterious teacher who made a miraculous change in her students' fate.
Finally they found her in a home for aged persons. She was about seventy years
old but could remember the faces of her former students. When asked about her
immense influence on her students, she calmly replied, "I have not made
any miracle. I just loved each one of my students as my own children."
The students imbibed
from their teacher the virtues of life. Supported by her affectionate
assistance, constant guidance and encouraging comments, they could boldly face
the problems of life and shape their conscience and career to a level of
perfection.
The seven letters in the word, 'TEACHER' may be expanded to list the
seven essential qualities of an ideal teacher: Talented, Enthusiastic, Affectionate, Co-operative, Humble, Encouraging and Reliable.
The
word denoting 'teacher' in Indian languages is 'GURU' which is derived from two syllables 'Gu' and 'Ru' in the
Sanskrit language. 'Gu' represents
the darkness of ignorance, especially spiritual ignorance. 'Ru' denotes the light or radiance which destroys the darkness of
ignorance. The Guru of ancient India was a saintly sage, a beacon of spiritual
light who looked after every facet of the life of the students who used to stay
with him throughout the period of their study. He used to impart spiritual
knowledge along with material knowledge for the balanced, integrated and
complete development the students' personality involving the body, mind,
intellect and soul of the students.
Teaching is an art, a science, a mission and
a divine vocation. It does not end in the intellectual interpretation of ideas,
concepts and theories. It aims at the physical, mental, moral, emotional and
intellectual development of the students. Information imparted should lead to
formation of character and transformation of the head (intellect), heart
(emotions), hands(actions) and habits (life-style) of the students.
Henry Adams said,
"A teacher affects eternity. He can never tell where his influence
stops." The Bible teaches that those who have taught many people to do
what is right will shine like the stars forever.
.....................................................................................................................................
© By Prof.
Dr. Babu Philip, Professor, Cochin
University of Science & Technology, Fine Arts Avenue, Kochi-682016, Kerala,
India, Prof.
Mrs. Rajamma Babu, Former Professor, St. Dominic's College, Kanjirappally, Leo. S. John, St. Antony's Public
School, Anakkal, Kanjirappally and Neil
John, Maniparambil, Ooriyakunnath, Kunnumbhagom, Kanjirappally,
Kottayam-686507, Kerala, India.
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