Education is a sector of opportunities. Development of any nation is linked to its literate masses. From curriculum design to educational technology educators have come a long way. This millenium poses a special challenge as educationists race to catch up with the population explosion.
The ‘gurukuls’ of ancient India are just a reminiscence of the past. Not only has the house of learning changed in size and culture but with it has revolutionized the work of professionals in it. Educationists are specialists. There are teachers specially trained to teach at the pre-primary, primary, secondary, senior secondary levels. Art and Craft, Music, Physical Education and different subjects are taught by specially trained teachers at all levels. Special Educators teach the mentally handicapped children, or the visually impaired, hearing impaired, Spastics, etc. School counsellors, social workers, foreign language specialists are specialists in the area of school education and college teaching.
Teaching is one of the largest of all professions in India, but there remains much to be achieved both in quality and quantity. With a large percentage of the population still illiterate and the higher education sector requiring rejuvenating structural changes the challenge for educationists is daunting. National commitments for achieving 100 per cent literacy by year 2005 and vocationalization of education are challenging. The commitment of teachers is under scrutiny. It is indeed a career for those who feel they can commit themselves to the cause of education.
Nature of Work
Elementary school teacher
Nursery/primary school teachers play a vital role in the development of children. What is learned and experienced during the early years can shape children’s views of themselves and the world, and later influence, success or failure at school work and their personal lives.
Teachers specializing in ‘early school education’ (with three to seven or eight year olds)work in nursery, infant or first schools. Those opting for the later years work in junior and middle schools. Primary teachers are expected to teach every subject in the curriculum. They help children to develop their use of language and to handle numbers and explore mathematical ideas. They introduce them to science and technology, history and geography and creative performing arts. Creative plays are used widely for younger children while lessons for older ones are generally structured more formally and involve tests and homework.
Most primary school teachers instruct one class of children in several subjects. In some schools a team of two or more teachers teach and are jointly responsible for a group of students. In other schools, a teacher may teach one special subject - usually music, art, reading, science, arithmetic, or physical education - to a number of classes. A small but growing number of teachers instruct multi-level classrooms - those with students at several different learning levels.
In addition to classroom activities, teachers plan lessons, prepare tests, grade papers, prepare report cards, meet with parents, attend faculty meetings and conferences, and supervise extracurricular activities after school.
Secondary school teacher
Teachers at the secondary level specialize in one or two subjects but commonly teach them to all age groups and abilities. They may only see each class for 40 minutes a day. Pupils are prepared for the X and XII Board exams. A great amount of emphasis is on imparting subject knowledge. There is an increasing emphasis on developing the students personality. The teacher plays a vital role in this development. Secondary and senior secondary students are involved in curricular and sports activities in school and teachers organize and supervise all such activities. Senior secondary and secondary teachers prepare test papers, meet parents, attend conferences and faculty meetings and suggest curriculum changes also.
Lecturers/College teachers
Lecturers spend several hours researching and preparing for lectures and practicals. Much of the teaching is in the form of lectures on a particular topic or course option. Lecturers aim to develop students’ powers of interpretation, analysis and original thought. They are also involved in setting and marking assignments and exams, carrying out continuous assessment, evaluating research, and monitoring work projects and placements. Lectures last for even an hour and are attended by a large number of students. Less formal teaching takes place in seminars or tutorials for small groups of students. During seminars and tutorials, lecturers may give prepared material, lead discussions and give comments on students essays or assignments.
Lecturers have to read to be up to date with their subject, as well as follow developments outside in higher education. Those engaged in research publish their work or contribute them to relevant professional organisation. The proportion of time devoted to teaching and to research varies between posts and institutions. They also carry out administrative tasks such as helping with student admissions, serving on curriculum development and departmental committees, or acting as external examiners for other colleges. Some lecturers help individual students, advising them on their study, careers and personal problems. They may also be wardens of residential halls. Lecturers supervise sessions of practical work or experiment teaching.
In higher education institutions curricula and teaching methods allow students to take more responsibility for their learning.
Distance Educators
With technological advancement (the Internet and web technologies) as well as with courses through distance mode the content developer is an educator. The class size is infinite and the curriculum diverse. Distance educators write learning text for courses conducted through the distance mode or the web primarily for the higher levels of teaching. The job needs experience as a teacher and good subject knowledge.
Work Environment
Teachers work under different levels of conveniences. While some schools have well equipped and pleasant classrooms many government schools work in temporary conditions. Teachers are provided with best teaching aids in premier institutions.
The work of a school teacher can be tiring and trying. Standing for many hours and talking requires considerable stamina. School hours in pre-primary schools are shorter than in secondary classes. There are, however, many holidays in school teaching.
College teachers have to give lectures hence must spend considerable time in making preparations. They spend much time in libraries, conferencing and possibly research.
Distance educators work from home or office. Considerable research work must be done.
Personal Characteristics
This profession requires dedication, perseverance and patience. If you aspire to play a small role in moulding society, as a teacher you can influence the thoughts, personality of children and youth. However, the repetitive nature of work makes the task dreary unless you are innovative enough to devise new techniques and take the front line in school affairs. This entails generally, knowledge of subject as well as a rich experience in co-curricular, a good sense of innovations to match the best and keenness to take on responsibility. Tact, patience and the ability to get on with all kinds of people are essential.
The job varies as the level of teaching changes. Pre-primary teachers manage 3-5 year old, the primary school teacher teaches 5 to 10 year old, the middle school teacher cares for the 10-13 year old (in many schools this distinction may not be so prominent). The secondary and senior secondary school teacher teaches the 14-17 year old. This is at the school level. At the college level the undergraduate and graduate teachers manage young adults.
Lecturers need an extensive knowledge of their subject. They specialize within their field and must be able to produce a well-balanced programme of lecturers based on course requirements. They must be interested in teaching and be able to explain facts and theories clearly and imaginatively. This requires self-confidence and good communication skills.
Lecturers should be able to encourage the development of intellectual skills in students and motivate them to achieve course objectives and deadlines. It is important to be flexible and to be able to work with large numbers of students and in one-to-one situations. All higher education teachers should be able to manage their work schedules efficiently.
Lecturers in vocational subjects should have relevant work experience and be able to set their teaching in an appropriate professional or industrial context.
Distance educators must have a good knowledge of the subject, training for writing for the distance mode and excellent written communication.
