Role Of Teachers In Social Change

Education needs to be a positive force in building peaceful communities in a rapidly changing world. Thus, the educational programmes and structures are being looked upon to take the responsibility of nurturing religious pluralism and spirituality in society. Education has been recognized as a major tool for social transformation. It is the principal method through which societies transmit knowledge from one generation to another, learn how to develop and accumulate knowledge, preserve certain values and transform others and introduce social and cultural change in the form of new, non-conventional ideas, values, attitudes and non-traditional ways of thinking. It is through education that people learn how to become more socially and politically

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. We cannot therefore, ignore the role of teachers ' organisations, in bringing about social change. Teachers are literally the arbiters of a nation’s destiny. It may sound a truism but it still needs to be stressed that the teacher is the key to any educational reconstruction. Teachers work in an environment characterized by change and uncertainty, where it might be said that change is paradoxically, one of the few constants. It is quite possible that teachers come into the profession for different reasons in different country contexts, in different economic circumstances and with varying expectations of the rewards and challenges of the role. Common to all, however, is the need for appreciation, autonomy and affiliation. Their places within a hierarchy of needs varies country by country depending on an essential infrastructure of safety, security, working conditions, resourcing and adequate remuneration. Therefore, it can be said that “Teaching is a profession that lies at the heart of both learning of children and young people and their social, cultural and economic development. It is crucial to transmitting and implanting social values, such as democracy, equality, tolerance, cultural understanding and respect for each person’s fundamental freedom.” Teaching as a profession can be described as an occupation, which provides highly specialized intellectual services. It is a body of erudite knowledge, a set of attitudes and a technique, which is applied to the service of mankind through an educated group. It needs a long period of training and certification.