Teacher's Organisation

1. Write a critique on the role of teachers' organisations in contributing to professionalism and social change.

Educational system forms an important part of the society and they are responsible for creation of developed and wiser societal system. Very often educational system is called upon to bring out various changes in the society. It has the potential to create new and positive changes in social outlook, social behaviour, and social traditions among the people. It may also help to wipe out undesirable and irrelevant customs, taboos, beliefs and traditions from the society. In other words, it constitutes a major intervention in social process which may either strengthen the status quo or bolster social change. 

Teacher’s role can not be ignored in bringing about social change. This is particularly, most urgent in the present context, when our society is infested with a myriad of problem and is confronted with new challenges of the twenty-first century.

The All India Federation of university and College teachers Organisation (AIFUCTO) (1976) has spelt out the role of teachers' organisation with regard to society. Teachers should 

a) recognise that education is a public service and strive to keep the public informed of the educational programme which is being provided; 

b) work to improve education in the community and strengthen the community's moral and intellectual life; c) be aware of social problems and should take part in such movements as would be conducive to the progress of the society and hence country as a whole; 

d) perform the duties of citizenship, participate in community activity's and should be responsibile of public offices;

e) refrain from taking part in or subscribing to or assisting in any way any movement which tends to promote feeling of hatred or enmity among different communities, religious or linguistic groups.

In this context, we are also reminded of Education Policy of Government of India(1968), which reiterated that the educational system must produce men and women of character and ability committed to service and development. 

It also visualised the transformation of the educational system to relate more closely to the life of die people and emphasized development of Science and Technology and cultivation of moral and social values. It further says, that work experience and National Service including participation in meaningful and challenging programmes of National Service and National Reconstruction should become integral part of education. There are areas where they should act to eradicate certain things and also there are areas where they should act to strengthen certain features.

Areas where they can act as a negative force

1. Illiteracy,

2. Superstitions,

3. Religious fanaticism, fundamentalism,

4. Dowry system,

5. Sati system,

6. Casteism,

7. Secessionism,

8. Prejudice against the female sex,

9. Regionalism,

10. Parochialism, Communalism.

2 Areas where they can act as a positive force

1. National Literacy Mission,

2. Adult education programme,

3. Environmental education,

4. Energy education,

5. Family planning and family welfare education,

6. Community health education,

7. National service scheme,

8. Rural development programme,

9. Urban sanitation programme,

10. Citizenship education.