On Teachers’ Day, philosopher and author Acharya Prashant shared important thoughts about the true role of teachers in shaping a better society. He emphasized that teachers are the real protectors of our future and urged everyone to look beyond flowers and greetings. Instead, we should reflect on what education truly means — nurturing clarity, curiosity, and inner strength in students.
Acharya Prashant explained that humans are born twice. The first time is biological, but the second-born — the real human — is when a person gains clarity of mind. Schools and teachers should help students experience this second birth. Without it, we may create skilled professionals, but they could lack understanding and confidence as human beings.
He highlighted that nations which respect and value teachers tend to thrive, while those that neglect them often decline, no matter how rich or big they are.
“India has plenty of talented young people,” he said, “but what’s missing is a system where genuine teachers can thrive and young minds are free to think and explore.”
Acharya Prashant also pointed out current issues in education. Many see teaching as just a safe career, not a heartfelt calling. He said teaching should be the highest profession — a vocation driven by passion, not just a fallback option. Yet, many teaching positions are vacant, and teachers are often diverted to perform administrative tasks, election duties, or surveys. This reduces teachers to mere clerks for the state, neglecting the importance of nurturing young minds. He called this a betrayal of the teaching profession, and warned, “When teachers are treated with disrespect, how can young students stay inspired?”
He expressed concern that the education system has become focused on rote learning, exam scores, and job placements, rather than real understanding. Students are pushed to meet impossible targets, while their inner questions about identity and purpose are ignored. This approach can harm mental health and even lead to self-harm in tragic cases. Acharya Prashant emphasized that education should not just be about facts but about understanding oneself — the most vital part of learning, which he called the “education of the self.”
He spoke about the importance of two types of learning. One helps us understand the outside world — science, language, history, technology — which is necessary to function. The other is inner knowledge — understanding ourselves and knowing where true wisdom lies. Without this, we may become clever but remain unfulfilled.
Quoting the ancient wisdom of Vedanta, he explained the difference between ‘avidya’ (ignorance) and ‘vidya’ (knowledge). One keeps life manageable; the other makes life meaningful.
For teachers, Acharya Prashant emphasized the importance of personal clarity and presence. A teacher’s true power lies not just in lessons, but in who they are. Students can sense whether a teacher cares and is genuine. The best teachers help students become independent, freeing them from dependency. Their role isn’t just to teach for a day — it’s to inspire a lifelong journey toward truth and understanding.
In closing, he called for courage — the courage to support qualified teachers, to encourage inquiry in classrooms, and to balance external knowledge with inner wisdom. Without teachers of clarity and insight, even the smartest students may fall into traps of ignorance and fear. Teachers’ Day isn’t just about flowers — it’s a reminder to build a future where education truly empowers young minds and restores the purpose of learning.
This message reminds us all that education is about freeing us from limitations — not just filling heads with facts. Let’s honor teachers by supporting their vital role in shaping wiser, more thoughtful generations.
