BY ARABIAN TIMES NEWS NETWORK
Being the son of a teacher, my connection with every teacher is not merely professional or political; it is deeply personal and emotional. Their struggles are my struggles, and their pain resonates within me like that of a family member. Today, as we witness the disturbing trend of school mergers and staff reductions, a dark cloud looms over the future of education in rural India.
The merging of schools, though often justified as a step toward administrative efficiency, has led to a steady decline in the number of teachers. More worryingly, the impact on girl students in rural areas is being dangerously overlooked. With poor public transportation and safety concerns, many families will hesitate or outright refuse to send their daughters to faraway schools, the direct result: a sharp fall in women’s education. Families, especially in rural villages, will begin withdrawing their children from schools, not out of neglect, but out of a sense of helplessness. These are truths only a parent or guardian can fully understand.
We have always stood in solidarity with teachers and will continue to support them. Whether it is the movement for basic teacher recruitment in Prayagraj, the fight for justice for the 69,000 assistant teacher recruitment candidates, or the longstanding struggle of Shiksha Mitras, our support has never wavered. These are not just battles for jobs but for dignity, justice, and the future of our children.
The bitter truth is that the BJP government has consistently shown indifference to the real issues faced by teachers. It has failed to acknowledge their contributions, ignored their voices, and insulted their commitment to building the nation. Teachers are the backbone of any society, and to undermine them is to weaken the very foundation of the country’s future. A government that cannot feel the pain of those who shape our generations is a heartless one, and such governance has no place in a democratic society.
It is also vital for the public to realize that the BJP’s discomfort with education is not accidental. An educated population questions injustice, challenges discrimination, and resists divisive politics, things that do not serve the BJP’s interests. Fewer schools mean fewer educated minds. Educated youth will demand employment. Government jobs would necessitate reservations. Since the BJP’s ideology does not support reservations, it avoids addressing employment altogether. We must not let this anti-education mindset go unchallenged. If the government continues to dishonor and mistrust teachers, it risks triggering a powerful resistance that may bring a standstill across all sectors.
Let us remember: when we once protested against the imposition of “online attendance,” we stood by a single belief, that respect and trust in teachers are the foundations of a healthy, intelligent generation. Those who use foul language against educators are no different from the uneducated. Arrogance blinds people to the suffering of others. By disrespecting teachers and undermining education, the BJP has lost the trust of those who matter most — the guardians of our future.
