Some of the recent posts and TV serials that covered punishments against 'teacher society' made us very much ecstatic for unknown reasons! If a declaration is made in a way that teachers are the most vulnerable species of our current society, I believe, that won't be any hyperbole. All sectors of power are very much well-decided where there is no opportunity to show newer power except some of the educational institutions where the weakest species are always ready to receive the first drop of power from any of the newer or, newly discovered horse-power!
From the very beginning of our academic advancement back in 1860, the sentiment of our general folk was against any academic development parallel to the international standard. People sought the growth of crops rather than the growth of classes in schools. All these led to the sentiment towards turning the teacher folk as 'Master': the word 'Master' actually meant something like 'cursed' and practically lost its real meaning. The story of dedication or, disqualification of teachers is nothing new: the newer trend that came upon the stage is, Masters should play the role as a secondary power source to ensure some kind of post-modern power practices in blended names or, practices. Ultimately, Masters are unchanged, that is the 'cursed' section.
In different times we saw agonies of some of distinguished masters who found common reasons to uphold a profession like this, "If nobody becomes a master than who will teach?" The most surprising thing is, the uneducated laborers could build their labor union back in 1780 whereas the learned masters are yet to establish a uniform union throughout the whole country! Some tried to establish a few in the digital platforms or, in segregated organizations, but, the number of each union's participants hadn't been more than tea-stalls. A few distinguished also came forward to bring a change to the scenario who ceased appealing for 'private vehicles' rather than 'private research funds'!
It's not that I am writing as a claimer to be a 'Master'. I had observations as a 'lifetime student' over piling up all the miseries, fragility, and tension the teacher-folk bear to prove themselves every day the most vulnerable section of society who unfortunately carries the most important onus on their shoulder that is-'Education'.
The writer is an Assistant Professor, Department of English Language and Literature, International Islamic University Chittagong
