By Park Moo-jong
From ages past, it has been said that out of reverence for our teachers, we should not even step on their shadow.
However, the reality of today overshadows the precious saying, sadly. And tomorrow, May 15, is the day we "celebrate" teachers.
Teachers' Day was officially designated as a national commemoration day in 1982 to honor teachers for their contribution to the education of the growing generation.
It was initiated by Red Cross group members who visited their retired sick teachers at hospitals in 1958 on the occasion of the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day on May 8.
In 1965, the date was moved to May 15, the birthday of Sejong the Great (1397-1450), the fourth monarch of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), who led young scholars to create Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, as a great teacher.
Alas, the celebrated day was halted between 1973 and 1982 due to the "rampant bribery implicit in the expensive gifts often offered to teachers by students' parents." The government, then, revived it in 1982.
More than 100 countries observe the day to increase awareness of, and respect for, what is viewed to be the "world's most important job," held by nearly 90 million around the world, including registered and non-registered, with the majority celebrating the day on or around Oct. 5, World Teachers' Day, designated by UNESCO and Education International.
Unfortunately, however, few can argue over the stark reality of today that traditional respect for teachers is waning and their authority is rapidly disintegrating.
This year, the situation is worse than ever due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic forcing all schools from kindergartens to universities to have remained closed since March, the beginning of the year's new semester.
Teachers are sweating to prepare untried online lectures without seeing their students. The relationship between those who teach and those who learn can only wane. Social distancing does not allow students to visit their teachers especially following a new outbreak of infections caused by Itaewon clubbers.
This morning, I listened, as I did annually, to "To Sir, With Love," British singer Lulu's song expressing deep respect and love for her teacher in the 1967 British film of the same title featuring Sidney Poitier as a teacher who instills in his poverty-stricken and unruly teenagers a belief in themselves and respect for one another at a London East End school.
"If you wanted the sky, I would write across the sky in letters that would soar a thousand feet high, To Sir, with love.
The time has come for closing books and long last looks must end.
And as I leave I know that I am leaving my best friend, a friend who taught me right from wrong and weak from strong.
That's a lot to learn.
But what can I give you in return?"
What Lulu says in this song is far from the reality of today. Teachers lament that they are no more subjects of respect and gratitude and are nothing but simply teaching "machines."
Many of them are even used to having their authority openly challenged in classrooms by students who are raised in an environment that places a top priority on entering prestigious universities under the extreme sacrificing support of their parents, notably mothers.
Students don't respect their teachers anymore. Many teachers think that they sell their lessons and students buy them.
A survey conducted by the Korean Federation of Teachers' Association from April 27 to May 5 showed that only 30 percent of 5,767 teachers questioned were satisfied with their teaching job, while the majority of them sighed that they became seriously dispirited over the past three years.
Many teachers even doubt the necessity of Teachers' Day, calling for its abolition as it has become only a perfunctory ceremony while teachers' rights and prestige are hitting rock bottom. Superficial events cannot revive falling levels of respect.
In particular, parents are basically responsible for the fall of teachers' authority. They are becoming more protective of their children, suspecting teachers may take unfair measures against their "priceless" kids.
Who is responsible? This is really an easy question. All of our society should be held responsible and reform should start at home first. Home education should be a top priority, going side by side with school education.
Teach your children first and teach the parents, too. Teachers' Day should regain its original form as a truly celebrated day.
Why don't you express respect and thanks to your mentors through text messages, emails, Kakao Talk messages and other social media in this time of the COVID-19 lockdown?
Park Moo-jong (emjei29@gmail.com) is a standing adviser of The Korea Times. He served as the president-publisher of the nation's first English daily newspaper from 2004 to 2014 after working as a reporter since 1974.
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However, the reality of today overshadows the precious saying, sadly. And tomorrow, May 15, is the day we "celebrate" teachers.
Teachers' Day was officially designated as a national commemoration day in 1982 to honor teachers for their contribution to the education of the growing generation.
It was initiated by Red Cross group members who visited their retired sick teachers at hospitals in 1958 on the occasion of the World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day on May 8.
In 1965, the date was moved to May 15, the birthday of Sejong the Great (1397-1450), the fourth monarch of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910), who led young scholars to create Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, as a great teacher.
Alas, the celebrated day was halted between 1973 and 1982 due to the "rampant bribery implicit in the expensive gifts often offered to teachers by students' parents." The government, then, revived it in 1982.
More than 100 countries observe the day to increase awareness of, and respect for, what is viewed to be the "world's most important job," held by nearly 90 million around the world, including registered and non-registered, with the majority celebrating the day on or around Oct. 5, World Teachers' Day, designated by UNESCO and Education International.
Unfortunately, however, few can argue over the stark reality of today that traditional respect for teachers is waning and their authority is rapidly disintegrating.
This year, the situation is worse than ever due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic forcing all schools from kindergartens to universities to have remained closed since March, the beginning of the year's new semester.
Teachers are sweating to prepare untried online lectures without seeing their students. The relationship between those who teach and those who learn can only wane. Social distancing does not allow students to visit their teachers especially following a new outbreak of infections caused by Itaewon clubbers.
This morning, I listened, as I did annually, to "To Sir, With Love," British singer Lulu's song expressing deep respect and love for her teacher in the 1967 British film of the same title featuring Sidney Poitier as a teacher who instills in his poverty-stricken and unruly teenagers a belief in themselves and respect for one another at a London East End school.
"If you wanted the sky, I would write across the sky in letters that would soar a thousand feet high, To Sir, with love.
The time has come for closing books and long last looks must end.
And as I leave I know that I am leaving my best friend, a friend who taught me right from wrong and weak from strong.
That's a lot to learn.
But what can I give you in return?"
What Lulu says in this song is far from the reality of today. Teachers lament that they are no more subjects of respect and gratitude and are nothing but simply teaching "machines."
Many of them are even used to having their authority openly challenged in classrooms by students who are raised in an environment that places a top priority on entering prestigious universities under the extreme sacrificing support of their parents, notably mothers.
Students don't respect their teachers anymore. Many teachers think that they sell their lessons and students buy them.
A survey conducted by the Korean Federation of Teachers' Association from April 27 to May 5 showed that only 30 percent of 5,767 teachers questioned were satisfied with their teaching job, while the majority of them sighed that they became seriously dispirited over the past three years.
Many teachers even doubt the necessity of Teachers' Day, calling for its abolition as it has become only a perfunctory ceremony while teachers' rights and prestige are hitting rock bottom. Superficial events cannot revive falling levels of respect.
In particular, parents are basically responsible for the fall of teachers' authority. They are becoming more protective of their children, suspecting teachers may take unfair measures against their "priceless" kids.
Who is responsible? This is really an easy question. All of our society should be held responsible and reform should start at home first. Home education should be a top priority, going side by side with school education.
Teach your children first and teach the parents, too. Teachers' Day should regain its original form as a truly celebrated day.
Why don't you express respect and thanks to your mentors through text messages, emails, Kakao Talk messages and other social media in this time of the COVID-19 lockdown?
Park Moo-jong (emjei29@gmail.com) is a standing adviser of The Korea Times. He served as the president-publisher of the nation's first English daily newspaper from 2004 to 2014 after working as a reporter since 1974.
