“Teachers can change lives with just the mixture of chalk and challenges.” Education is not just to reform students, to amuse them, or to make them expert technicians. It is to unsettle their minds, widen their horizons, inflame their intellects, and teach them to think straight, if possible.
These quotes by Joyce Meyer and Robert Hutchins have not only been tried and tested but also proven by innumerable educators who have ignited the spark of self-confidence in millions of learners. In today’s world of intensive competition and pressure to move ahead, young minds often falter and become entangled in confusion and despair. Their spirits weaken, and life feels tedious and disheartening. Parental expectations, peer pressure, and the desire to prove themselves to teachers and peers frequently leave them distressed. The allure of the so-called ‘Road Not Taken’ makes them crave the glittering unknown. Preoccupied with the fear of failure, they fail to realise that “all that glitters is not gold”. While the world celebrates winners, true success also belongs to those who experience life in its truest sense.
A learner may have support, security, and resources. If focused, they may achieve great success. But what happens when obstacles arise, or when they must make their own decisions—ranging from small choices like preparing their meals to larger ones like managing finances and accommodation? Many falter at this stage, struggling with focus and confidence. Hence, while subjects are taught in classrooms, guidance must also be given on life skills that prepare learners for real-world challenges.
In pursuit of prestigious universities and degrees, today’s students are becoming global citizens, navigating diverse challenges of adaptability, cooperation, and cultural understanding. Teachers must embed pedagogies that prepare them for these tests of life.
Students today are more familiar with social media than social skills. As educators, we must encourage them to understand and support those around them, starting from family responsibilities to community services. Experiences such as helping at home or engaging with less privileged children can broaden their perspectives and instil gratitude. This helps them value life as it is, reducing the unhealthy stress of constant comparison.
A teacher often becomes the most trusted adult outside the family, providing impartial judgment and guidance. A teacher’s faith can inspire confidence, spark interest in difficult subjects, and create lasting transformation. When students share their academic struggles, fears, or personal challenges, a teacher can guide them not just as an instructor, but as a friend, philosopher, and guide—shaping young minds for life.
