The disconnect between teachers and students unlikely to heal

The student movement responsible for the ouster of Hasina-led government has not only restored confidence in and respect for the community of learners but also raised high hopes for the country. Before history was made on August 5 last, courtesy of their courage and dedication, the entire generation Z or Gen Z had been dismissed as a spoiled generation wedded to the smart devices and virtual world with its total disconnect from harsh reality.
At least students, particularly the leading members who spearheaded the movement, in this country showed enough courage and maturity against overwhelming odds to snatch victory. No doubt their undaunted spirit percolated down the aisles but because it began as a movement targeting a particular issue, the larger objective of social equality that came into focus at the final stage of the movement was missed by the majority of the participators, particularly the generation known as Alpha (born between 2010 &2025). Their solidarity with the generation Z was based on a common identity, in this case 'students'. But the common people, especially those of lower strata of society who have every reason to consider themselves deprived and neglected at a time of relentlessly high inflation joined the forces in the hope of a change in social order and their lot.
Admittedly, in times of a major revolution, the transition period is most crucial because the repressive administration manned by stooges and lackeys have to flee the wrath of their colleagues, subordinates and the masses who were irrationally victimised. This is why law and order breaks down and the anti-social elements try to make the most of the situation. The backlash from many of the victors down the rank together with the activities unleashed by anti-social goons sets into motion anarchy giving the impression of a reign of terror.
It is, however, to borrow from Charles Dickens, the best of times and the worst of times. With limitless potential, the revolution can inspire a nation for accomplishing the apparently impossible. The recent win scripted by Under-20 boys' football team in the South Asian championship and the whitewash of Pakistan on their own soil by Bangladesh men's cricket team may be the best example of the soaring spirit.
However, it is also the most testing time that has to be navigated as much cautiously, patiently and wisely as possible in order to avoid negativity. Since students' number one mission is to pursue study, nothing should be allowed to vitiate the learning process and environment. Unfortunately, developments in those areas are far from ideal. The anarchy let loose on the education front has prompted the education and planning adviser to call for an end to humiliation of teachers and their forcible resignation.
But this call has come after three weeks of the interim government's assumption of power. By this time the intimidation, harassment, forcible resignation and even physical assaults of teachers have taken an epidemic form in the country. The coordinators of the student movement and the education adviser also voiced their resentment at such incidents but it lacked the conviction and a sense of purpose. The day 200 or so higher secondary examinees stormed the secretariat, the administrative hub of the government, and literally arm-twisted the newly installed government to realise their inappropriate demand in favour of no examination for the remaining papers of the postponed public examinations, it created a bad precedence. Then calling in students to confront the agitating ansars made the matter still worse.
The popular perception is that teenage students ---those belonging to the G Alpha ---are vitiating the educational institutions' environment. Yes, they received encouragement from their elders at the college and university levels. Not only vice chancellors, irrespective of their performances, but also deans and teachers had to resign under duress. The teenagers have only followed their elders when there was no strong protest against such humiliation and resignations. They are the most impressionable of the lot.
Here dots of social equation await connection. The disproportionate rise of teenage gangs compared to the demographic age distribution has long been a problem of serious concern. There is nothing to be surprised if those gangs become hyperactive at this time of lawlessness to settle scores against teachers who were strict and may have taken disciplinary actions against them. Also, some aspiring teachers of the concerned educational institutions and guardians may have instigated the young ones to serve their dubious purposes.
Chain of command in society has long disintegrated but if teachers are victimised or even made to look so, the nation will have to pay a heavy price. Accepted that teachers are not angels but so are the bureaucrats. Why not dispense with them? The fact is that teachers have no scope to be as corrupt and influential as to hasten a social rot. True, some of them may have gone overboard by exposing their political allegiance to the ousted ruling party. There are procedures to deal with such deviations but why victimise teachers randomly? The country's education, despite its many limitations and shortcomings, strove for reasonable excellence. It will never be the same with the wholesale resignation of teachers in key positions of educational institutions from secondary to the tertiary levels following the disconnect between them and students.

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