Relearning the lesson

Teaching is one of the most idealised professions in the world. Weve all seen movies where a teacher transforms a rowdy and self-absorbed bunch of kids into well-behaved and self-actualised creatures. Weve also seen grim news stories about brutal disciplining methods and open exploitation and shaming that occur in the classroom. Now,in an attempt to bridge the gap and restore dignity and integrity to the job,a four-member panel of the National Council for Teacher Education has recommended a 23-point code for teachers across public and private schools. Like doctors and lawyers,educators will also be subject to a set of ethical dos and donts which will span contentious areas like private tuitions and corporal punishment. New teachers will be administered an oath to abide by,and schools will set up ethics committees to deal with violations,which could face serious consequences like revoking the licence to teach. Teachers are the first figure of public authority one ever encounters,and it makes sense not to let that authority be untrammelled. Their every action makes a strong impress,and their behaviour is a powerful determinant of a childs cast of mind. They cant afford to appear arbitrary or self-interested.As the Right to Education Act becomes reality,we will have to explore ways of making teachers accountable. Internal regulation is a good idea,but has often foundered in practice the Bar Council of India and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India have been conspicuously tardy in identifying and punishing professional and ethical breaches,and the Medical Council of India was a whole sorry saga by itself. These bodies have also tended to distort higher education in their res-pective fields,often twisting the process of accreditation and recognition for personal profit. The ambit of the educators code may not be that wide,but it covers important ground for instance,not using the classroom as a pulpit for any personal belief or propaganda,not accepting any kind of gift from students,parents or educational publishers,and maintaining the confidentiality of student information. Whatever final shape the teachers code takes,it is bound to be a step forward.