THE TEACHER’S PROTEST!

Summary

A prospective teacher resigns from a school position due to the expectation to educate without the support of prayer, emphasizing the essential role of prayer in achieving success and moral guidance in education.

Abstract

The narrative describes a teacher's moral dilemma upon realizing that the school's secular policy prohibits prayer, despite the extensive responsibilities expected of him. These responsibilities include instilling a love for learning, promoting cultural pride, addressing behavioral issues, ensuring safety, and teaching life skills. The teacher, citing religious scripture, argues that prayer is indispensable for personal success and moral conduct, and thus, he cannot fulfill his duties effectively without it. His principled stand leads the school administrator to recognize the importance of prayer, resulting in a policy change to accommodate prayer within the school.

Opinions

The teacher believes that prayer is crucial for personal success and maintaining moral integrity, as well as for fulfilling the multifaceted role of an educator.
The teacher's stance suggests that educational success is not solely academic but also spiritual and moral, and that these aspects are interdependent.
The narrative conveys a critical view of the educational system that imposes numerous societal expectations on teachers without providing spiritual support mechanisms.
The teacher's resignation serves as a protest against a system that he believes undervalues the spiritual dimension of teaching and personal development.
The administrator's change of heart implies an acknowledgment of the teacher's perspective and a recognition that prayer can be a valuable component of the educational environment.

“ I like a teacher who gives you something to take home to think about besides homework.” — Lily Tomlin

Picture By Note Thanun

There is no doubt that Teachers provide the education that improves the quality of life, therefore bringing so much to both individuals and society as a whole. There is a very vital role of teachers in shaping the future of our children. They teach them values, morals, ethics, and discipline. In addition, they also guide students through their academic journey. The below story of a teacher explains the importance of teaching in the shadow of important insights!

There was no timetable nor a room designated for PRAYERS in the school. The School was ‘secular,’ hence prayers were not supposed to be allowed.

After being interviewed and accepted by the school administration, the eager teaching prospect said in protest: “Let me see if I’ve got this right.”

You want me to go into that room with all those kids and fill their every waking moment with a love for learning. And I’m supposed to in- still a sense of pride in their ethnicity, modify their disruptive behavior, observe them for signs of abuse, and even censor their T-shirt messages and dress habits.

You want me to wage war on drugs and sexually transmitted diseases, check their backpacks for weapons of mass destruction, and raise their self-esteem. You want me to teach them firm belief in God, patriotism, good citizenship, sportsmanship, and fair play, how and where to register to vote, how to balance a checkbook, & how to apply for a job.

I am to check their heads for lice, maintain a safe environment, recognize signs of antisocial behavior, offer advice, write letters of recommendation for student employment and scholarships, and encourage respect for their elders and future employers.

And I am to communicate regularly with the parents by letter, telephone, newsletter, & report card.

I am to do all this with just a piece of chalk, a blackboard, a few books, a bulletin board, and a big smile, AND on a starting salary that qualifies my family for food stamps!

You want me to do all of this, and you expect me NOT TO PRAY.

You expect me not to pray when Almighty says: “Nay, seek (God’s) help with patient perseverance and PRAYER: It is indeed hard, except to those who bring a lowly spirit.”O, my Lord! Make me and my children among those who establish prayers.”

“Indeed it is the Prayers, which helps to refrain from indecent acts and evils.”

You want me to do all of this and you expect me not to pray when SUCCESS of everyone depends on Prayers. Almighty says that successful believers are: “… … those who are punctual in their prayers.”

Dear sir, since I am sure that I will not be able to fulfill your expectations, nor I will be successful in my career WITHOUT prayers, “I resign willingly from the post.”

The Administrator looked down for a while then suddenly declared: “Young man, go ahead with your job. You have taught me a very important lesson today:

Without prayers and help from God, no work is a success. We shall make special arrangements for prayers from today!

Thanks for reading Shameem Anwar and for your valuable time!