Our editorial office continues to receive worrying reports: teachers who, outside the classroom, adopt attitudes that are not appropriate for the role they hold. The problem, although it concerns a minority, risks casting a shadow on the entire category, damaging parents' trust and calling into question the credibility of the education system.
The reports speak of teachers who drive recklessly, who argue over trivial matters in public places, forgetting that they are educational figures for their students. Episodes that seem banal, but for those who wear the role of educator take on a different meaning. It is not a question of requiring an unrealistic perfection, but of reiterating that teaching is a vocation, not just a job.
Those who choose to teach must be aware of the weight of their role, which goes far beyond the hours spent in the classroom. The teacher is not only someone who transmits knowledge, but a guide, an example of behavior and self-control. When a parent sees a teacher behaving inappropriately outside of the school environment, the perception of the school as an institution is weakened. The question that arises spontaneously is: how can I educate my child who cannot manage himself?
It is not a question of criminalizing the category, but rather of underlining the importance of a more accurate selection and continuous monitoring. The idea of a reform that includes an evaluation not only of didactic skills, but also of relational and character skills, could be a solution.
Accompanying those who no longer have the passion or the necessary vocation towards other professions would be an act of responsibility towards the students and teachers themselves. Leaving space for those who have the genuine desire to teach and be a point of reference can only benefit the entire school system.
Teaching is, in many ways, similar to a religious calling: it requires dedication, empathy and a strong capacity for self-control. School is the pillar on which the future of a country is built. Preserving its dignity and credibility is a responsibility that concerns all of us.
Article published on 31 December 2024 - 13:05
It is true that some teachers should behave better but I believe that we cannot generalise, there are also many good teachers who are dedicated to their work. School is very important for young people and deserves respect, but we also need more controls.