jordan pulse -

​By Dr. Zouqan Obeidat
​Tomorrow is World Teachers' Day, an occasion established by UNESCO in 1966 with the aim of highlighting the pivotal role of teachers in building the nation.
​Poets left no verse of praise unsaid: "The teacher was almost a messenger." Officials left no promise unmade. Yet, the conditions of teachers continue to decline steadily. They gained nothing from a poem and earned nothing from a promise, while their circumstances have not altered in the least.
​(1) Confessions!
​No system has succeeded in attracting top graduates to work in education. Most systems have failed to attract teachers from the upper strata of society, and most systems have failed to provide what satisfies teachers. Everyone has failed to turn teaching into a profession like other respected fields.
​The teacher remains a public employee who loses their title once their service ends. Teachers are stressed, and they have objective reasons for being so. They believe they are neglected and left outside the state's calculations.
​(2) The Burden of Heritage!
​Despite what is said about the teacher of "the past"—their status and role in society—the truth indicates that throughout our history, they did not enjoy prestige or standing. Our heritage includes what Al-Jahiz wrote about teachers, or what a judge once told a teacher: "Go, for we do not accept your testimony!"
​Perhaps this reflects that most teachers were not among the "elite" in society. There are dozens of such sayings that have no place on World Teachers' Day. Teachers are not honored. I have been a teacher since 1959 and have not received the Teacher's Medal, which is the bare minimum.
​(3) Teaching Is Not a Profession at All!
​They "fooled" teachers and told them: You are bearers of a mission! You will be rewarded for it by God! But teachers also want earthly compensation for themselves, their children, and their families. Teachers are not martyrs, and no one can exercise guardianship over them.
​Teachers want a profession. Education will not develop through viewing the teacher merely as an employee. They want a profession that creative minds compete to join, because a true profession provides a dignified living.
​(4) Difficulties in Achieving Teacher Satisfaction
​It has become widely believed among teachers that they are financially oppressed and that their income does not secure a dignified living. They used this as a justification to seek secondary jobs to earn a living, which caused a decline in their reputation and status.
​Teachers are like all other state employees. Why are their voices raised above others? Indeed, why is the state demanded to bias toward them? All employees need a dignified living, but state deficits are no justification for negligence by any teacher or employee.
​The Ministry of Education attempted to provide numerous privileges, but this did not reflect positively on teachers' performance.
​(5) The Teacher on Their Day!
​More love! We stand with you, hold your hands, and demand alongside you the provision of what satisfies you. We demand a suitable working environment, and we demand humanizing interactions with you—for you are not numbers.
​Along with you, I demand fulfilling ten conditions to transition from viewing teaching as a mere job to establishing it as a profession.
​Do you understand me?!!
​Source: Rum News Agency