Teaching Is Noble. Is That Enough?
Happy Teachers' Day to all those who teach—professionally or socially. Over the past decade or so, I have had the opportunity to interact with quite a few people who teach as a profession. Based on these interactions, today I find myself wondering: Have we designed an education system worthy of the value it creates for all? Teaching is widely regarded as a noble profession. And rightly so! But somewhere along the way, have we made noble = selfless = less money? We often hear that people choose teaching because they want to “ give back to society ”. There is nothing wrong with that motivation. In fact, it is admirable. But should choosing to contribute to society mean choosing a profession that pays less? Perhaps the question goes beyond teachers’ compensation. It takes us to some deeply embedded beliefs about what education is, what students and parents pay for, how institutions are assessed and compensated, and so on. These beliefs may vary across region...