A Call to Action in the AI Era: Why Teachers Will Always Matter …

Context:

Education and learning have the profound ability to uplift individuals, families, communities. Technology has revolutionised how education is delivered, and the advent of Generative AI (Gen.AI) is poised to transform every profession, including teaching.

As the role of Gen.AI in education grows, questions arise: Will it reduce the number of teachers? Could it eventually eliminate the need for teachers altogether? The answer is clear—Gen.AI will augment, not replace, teaching roles. While AI can enhance efficiency and personalise learning, the human aspect of teaching remains indispensable. Teachers play a vital role in fostering emotional, social, and ethical development, as well as nurturing critical thinking, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence.

Teachers are the cornerstone of any society, shaping the future as mentors, guides. They mould young minds, instilling essential values and preparing the next generation to navigate an increasingly complex world.

However, this raises a critical question: Is the teaching profession in India sufficiently respected? Many educators feel overworked, caught in a challenging dynamic—managing administrative demands while addressing the expectations of students, parents. Many believe they are underpaid, lack the recognition and respect afforded to other professions.

This disconnect underscores the need for a renewed focus on valuing and supporting teachers, not only as educators but as indispensable pillars of society.

Problem at Hand:

The disparity in pay scales, lack of recognition are driving many teachers, professors to reconsider their commitment to this profession. In some cases, aspiring professionals are reluctant to choose teaching as a career, and those who do may face unsolicited advice to treat it as a temporary job until they secure a corporate role. This reflects a broader societal perception that undervalues teaching as a profession. While the challenges vary between higher education in colleges, premier institutes and school education, and differ across urban and rural areas, the underlying issue remains significant.

Teaching is not just a job—it is a calling. India requires tens of thousands of dedicated teachers and professors to meet its growing educational needs. These educators must be highly skilled, well-versed in their craft, and equipped with access to training in the latest technological advancements and pedagogical tools.

To attract and retain talent in this noble profession, the system must provide competitive pay and benefits that are aligned with, or at least close to, what professionals could earn in corporate roles. Beyond financial incentives, a cultural shift is needed to restore teaching to its rightful place as a respected and rewarding career path.

Progress Made and Path Ahead:

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is a transformative framework designed to align India’s education system with the demands of the 21st century. It emphasises a multi-disciplinary curriculum, the integration of vocational subjects, and fostering critical thinking skills. While visionary in its scope, the policy requires phased implementation, active collaboration among central, state governments, institutions, and stakeholders to achieve its ambitious goals.

However, the critical question remains:

• Are policymakers, educational institutions, and administrators implementing NEP 2020 at the right pace and in the right spirit to create meaningful impact?
• Will collaboration between corporates and academia provide the necessary impetus to elevate the teaching profession?
• How do we measure success beyond merely counting degrees and certifications?

Granting institutions autonomy to design their curriculum, set standards, and establish conducive environments for learning could be a game-changer in attracting and engaging talented educators. Yet, much depends on how these freedoms are exercised and whether they lead to a culture of innovation and quality education.

In some countries, teaching is held in high esteem as a profession. India can learn valuable lessons from such models to foster a cultural shift, ensuring teaching gains the respect it deserves across both urban and rural settings. The challenge lies in enabling this transformation uniformly across the country.

What can we do?

As parents, professionals, and members of society, we have a role in supporting and respecting the teaching profession. We can:

• Encourage educators in our interactions and recognise their contributions.
• Instill in our children the value of respecting teachers.
• Advocate for systemic improvements that uplift the teaching community.

Learning is limitless when it is accessible and guided by skilled mentors and coaches. The next time we meet a teacher or professor, let us give them the respect they deserve. Progress is built one step at a time, and even small actions can contribute to making the system better, day by day.

References: Jaimine in Medium, Artwork by Anita D’Souza, LinkedIn.