By Rabi Raj Thapa

Gurus are not teachers and teachers are not gurus. There is a vast difference between gurus and teachers. Those people who have adopted teaching jobs as professional gurus or teachers?

Guru is a Hindu oriental concept that believes in eliminating the darkness of ignorance – Agayna (ignorance)by imparting self-knowledge – Gyana (Knowledge, Bliss). In our time we used to believe in “Guru Brahma Guru Vishnu, Guru Devo Maheswara. And Ghuru Sakchyat Para Bramha; Tasmai Shree Gurube Namaha:”. Now how do we see and understand our teachers alias gurus?

It is unpleasant and eye-sore to watch respected gurus of our commoner's children crying for fair deal and justice. If the teachers are happy they can produce demons like Sukracharya. But we always believed in Brihaspati and Bashistha who taught Lord Rama.

Why our good teachers our children, and our future are so unhappy and angry with the government, the system and everything that is going on in our present education system? Who are chanting slogans and what they are demanding is rightful and justified?

Whatever the case, neither the government nor the protesters are guilty of gross negligence and violation of those students who are going through the agony of missing their exams and living in much more disappointment and distress. If it goes on like this, how can our children of the commoner get proper education to prepare themselves to live a professional career and a life of dignity that is only possible with proper care and a good education?

Better or worse, this country is ruled and administered by a bunch of people who have less regards for education and knowledge.

In the Sixties, both teachers and students in Nepal believed in one virtue of education, i.e. Vidya Vinaya Dadhati, Vinayat Yati Patratam; Patratwat Dhanam Apnoti, Dharmat Dharma tata Sukham” ( Knowledge gives humbleness and discipline, Discipline results in worthiness of our being, worthiness can produce wealth and prosperity and worthiness and prosperity enables one to do Good Deeds; and only Good Deeds brings Peace and Happiness.

Today, it is a paradox that we are seeing the custodians of knowledge and discipline also being charged by Police Batons and water cannons with the government like cattle and herds. It is a great surprise to see the government replacing highly educated female education ministers like former minister Sumana Shrestha and currently Dr Bidhya Bhattarai with a blunt tough-mouthed minister who has just matriculation who believes in blunt force and intimidation.

Today, the days of Carrot and Stick are gone; whether it is in the class or the street. Teachers and not laborers, they are sensible human beings who can “Think, Wait and Starve” as Herman Hess has written in his famous seminal book “Siddartha”. Teachers are not traders too. Teachers can’t and shouldn’t be treated like laborers or the educational mafias of expensive schools and educational institutions.

There have been a lot of debates on the criminalization of politics and the politicization of crime. Many teachers overlooked the politicization of education sectors and, instead, prided themselves for a long and opted to identify themselves with partisan political parties. They forgot or overlooked their professional pride and prestige in society and now they have reached this pitiable condition and situation.

Today political leaders have begun to rely more on student activism for their political success, they have started to dictate and manipulate the most important and prestigious positions like university deans and professors like pawns, insulting and ignoring their professional dignity, pride and professional acumen.

There is one thing that all Nepali people need to remember – it is not only the teachers who are damaging themselves with their infatuation with political parties, they are badly damaging the psyche of our future generation. But education is the heart and soul of national intellectual and human resource infrastructure.

It is prudent to “Stich in Time and Save Nine” in education sectors too.