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Political attention today is predominantly focused on K-12 education. Just glance through any of the national opinion magazines or newspapers and you will know what we are talking about. Even cable news channels are talking about these schools. So, what is all the talk about?

You guessed right! As usual, it is about dealing with severe budget cuts, changes in regulations and the demands of the Race to the Top and No Child Left Behind programs they have to deal with.

To add fuel to the fire, schools have to now deal with the mayor’s and governor’s assault on our teachers. Teachers are the focus of all issues related to higher education now. In fact, they are the enemy of everyone around.

Today’s trend is the alternative teacher training programs, high-stakes testing and charter schools. Teachers unions and even teachers themselves by their own are now considered being a major obstacle in the path of educational reform.

There is a popular feeling that kids are being hurt by teachers unions that are holding back reforms and positive changes. The assault is also based on the fact that teachers get the summers off in spite of being paid so high.

So, what exactly happened and how did our good old teachers end up in this state? Since when did K-12 education start viewing teachers as their enemies? No doubt, every school had their own share of problem teachers. However on a large scale, teachers were and are predominantly caring, dedicated and good. They work round the clock at the difficult job as thorough professionals.

Being a teacher today is practically a disgrace especially in districts that are under performing. Some of the issues that plague them include precarious job security, lack of resources and mandated testing methods. Look at most of the states today and you will find poor teachers waiting for their pink slip following severe budget cuts. 

There is increased demand from critics for lengthening the work day and abolishing tenure. Some are also demanding to privatize the system to avoid blowing it up. In all this chaos, who do you think would ever want to become a teacher? How are we ever going to find good quality teachers who will be willing to work sincerely and in a dedicated manner?

If we want the brightest minds to master the skills of teaching and move our country forward, it is time to look at the situation from their perspective even as we consider vital changes and transformations to the system. it is not fair to expect them to make all the sacrifices in the bargain.

The assault on them is unrelenting and the best of teachers are being driven away in just a few years. Is this what we ultimately want? Envisage a system of education with minimal teachers is maximum virtual and online interactions.

Are we ready for this? Isn’t there any value for personal classroom interactions that have always played a pivotal role in bringing out talents? It is time to seriously consider these aspects and bring an end to the assault. This is the only way we can save the remaining quality teachers who are indispensible to any changes to be made in the system.