Wednesday, 22 October 2003  
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Clay-footed idols and the springs of anarchy

Rather than leading from the front in establishing disciplinary standards and sound ethical conduct, some sections of the country's teaching profession have decided to adopt the heinous tactics of those who not so long ago plunged Sri Lanka into a bloodbath.

While some public sector trade unions had, reportedly, not heeded the JVP - allied trade unions' call for a token strike yesterday, sections of our teaching profession had, in ironic contrast, opted for a sick note campaign aimed at crippling the country's public school system on the same day, thus even putting fire-breathing trade unionists to shame in the destructive use of subversive tactics. Such are the mocking ironies of our times.

While the peace loving public could be happy that at least some sections of the trade union movement have seen through the devious designs of JVP allied interest and pressure groups, the same, alas, couldn't be said of some of our teacher trade unions, who, one would expect to know better.

In a sense, this could be described as a case of the hallowed idol displaying clay feet. Here are we faced with a situation where some elements in the country's intelligentsia are completely subverting their traditional, sacred role of standard bearers of correct, ethical conduct and are resorting to the tactics of desperadoes. Small wonder that discipline is fast crumbling in our schools.

The role model of yesteryear - the humble and retiring teacher who was, nevertheless, respected for his wealth of knowledge and moral wisdom seems to be no more. This in itself, is a creeping tragedy which is going unchecked.

Anarchic, destructive behaviour among our student population, therefore, shouldn't come as a surprise. They are taking the cue from their teachers in the adoption of tactics which they believe would bring them quick, beneficial results.

In fact, as we write, students are believed to be out on the streets in a show of strength in connection with an unresolved problem at a major public school in Bambalapitiya. Thus do institutions once held sacred, rapidly fall apart.

The least we could do is offer the younger generation some hope of forging ahead to a better tomorrow. The young very badly need to learn that principled, ethically correct living still pays, in a world overwhelmed by moral decadence and wild acquisitiveness.

Could this be achieved when teachers and elders fail miserably in the task of being moral and spiritual guides?

As we have mentioned before in this comment, we are fully aware that the teachers of this country, no less than other sections of the public, are burdened with grievances of various kinds. Teachers are no exception to the rule of one having to forge ahead painfully through life.

However, like the doctors of the land and other responsible professionals, teachers need to be far-sighted. Their's is not a mere profession. It is an honoured vocation.

Persons in this station in life need to remember that they are considered role models by particularly the young.

While a strike or two by teachers would enable them to come into some seemingly elusive benefits, they have, in reality, done grave harm to the culture and the future of the country by showing the young that one's interests could be secured by hook or by crook.

Call all Sri Lanka

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