A student's expectations of his teacher

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The writer is an educationist based in Kasur City. He can be reached at m.nadeemnadir777@gmail.com

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Respected Teacher,

The relationship between a teacher and his students, which in the past was one of respect and care, has undergone a visible change, dominantly a negative one. I express my apprehensions and expectations to give a clarion call to both of us. After my parents, it's only you who deserve all my respect and I never wish any wane in this reverence if any misgivings hijack it. As expectations and disappointment thereof go side by side, I don't want to be disappointed; hence, I submit, with all due respect, my expectations of you to keep intact the lofty status bestowed by your profession, which depends upon a nourishing relationship between you and me.

Teacher, my first expectation, which is actually part of your professional duties, is that not a single moment of my learning time and your teaching time be wasted deliberately. I don't expect such wastage, at least not from you at all, because it's you from whom I am to learn the value of time. I expect you to devote all of your energies and utilise all of your capabilities for the best constructive utilisation of the forty minutes which are our mutual asset. Teacher, I expect you to come in time and leave the class on time, making the most of these forty minutes.

My second expectation is that you enter the classroom fully prepared to deliver the lecture in such a way that all be inculcated in me. A bland lecture never enters my memory and my mind starts wandering beyond the classroom boundaries. Then, why should I be blamed for being fidgety?

My third expectation, or rather a heartfelt wish, is that you will provide me with such a classroom milieu favourable in all respects to learning. Anyone, even if I dare, disrupting the continuity of learning will be handled strictly but kindly. I can never think of showing any disrespect to the guardian of knowledge when I say that a mischievous student actually begs for your attention, a Midas touch that turns baser metals into gold.

My fourth expectation from you is that you would ensure my self-respect be kept unbruised. You will reprimand me without making fun of me. It is you who have taught me that respect begets respect. You know that these days a classroom turns into a theatre when a teacher chastises students for their peccadillos. I expect you to delve into the reasons behind my lapses instead of laughing at me.

As you are my role model not only in studies but also in life, my first inspiration comes from the aura of your personality. By your dress and demeanour, you must comport yourself as an elegant, suave and serene person so that I should look forward to your arrival in my classroom. No doubt, you must inspire awe in me, but wearing a welcoming smile on your face makes me feel proud of having you as my teacher. The first look of your face beaming with aplomb and serenity puts me in the learning mood. That's my fifth expectation.

My sixth expectation belongs to your presence and availability around me in times of emotional lows. You will always keep alight in me the flame of hope, courage and perseverance. If ever I fall by the wayside, you will be there to lift my morale. You will never let me down by magnifying my failure beyond proportion. You will never let a single failure seal my fate. If you lose hope in me, where do I seek it? I hold unfalteringly only you as the lighthouse of hope in the times of distress and difficulty in my life.

Seventh, as I belong to the lower social stratum and do not have so educated parents, I expect you to build me up as a successful person. My parents too have pinned sanguine hopes on you that under the patronage of a knowledgeable person like you, my journey to success in the educated world will be smoother. Only you can transform my destination into my destiny.

Eighth, but by no means least, I expect you would prioritise my presence over your watching reels on socials. I yearn for your undiluted attention at least during those forty minutes. When your eyes remain glued to the digital screen, I feel insulted. How would you then expect me to dedicate myself to homework assigned by you?

The first epithet in 'Respected Teacher' now has to be earned and I expect you to make me proud of saying:

Respectfully yours