September 22, 2007

Teaching is one of the most respectable professions. It is not a mere teaching of text book but the whole future of a nation depends upon it. Teaching, in my view, is not something acquirable instead it is God gifted ability. A large part of our population is associated with this profession but the ratio of male and female teachers is visibly not an even one. Females all over Pakistan indulge more in this profession as compared to males. But when it comes to professionalism, the degree of professionalism and competency in male teachers is much more than the females. Well, no offence to the female teachers, but this is something you can also observe if you have ever studied from both, male and female teachers.

In Pakistan most of the females go for this job because either they have nothing else to do or they need to earn on their own. They want to go out for a while from their routine life of cooking and rearing children at home; some also take it as a mere pastime until they get some other better job or an experience certificate only to add another feather in their cap. I am not saying that every teacher is like that. There are good and really devoted teachers as well who really want to serve the nation but their number lags far behind those who take this profession lightly.

As far as the male teachers are concerned, they may be lesser in number but the sincerity with the subject, dedication and the degree of professionalism provided by them is much greater. This is because they acquire this profession as their job and duty. Some of them might go for this job just as a source of income but then also they do it at least sincerely.

Females no doubt are softer, loving, caring and are good psychologist naturally but the intimate and friendly atmosphere in class provided by male teachers is extinct in their lectures. Generally men are quick tempered but surprisingly male teachers are very much patient. Also the vividness of expression is greater in male teachers.

Teaching and medicine are supposed to be the best professions for women in our society, but being a part of a profession is different from opting for a profession, and this we need to understand. Teaching is not only a job — it’s a big responsibility. A teacher is responsible for preparing the youth for tomorrow. Therefore, anybody — male or female — should not take it as a light job. It is a great task and at this point, we need to understand the importance, demands and requirements of teaching as a profession — not as a pastime.