MUSCAT : Every year, on February 24^th, Oman commemorates Teachers Day, to recognise and applaud their roles in shaping the lives of students under their guidance. This dedicated day symbolizes Oman’s commitment to uphold values of academic teaching and integrated learning in realizing objectives of its sustainable growth strategy.

From early childhood days to young adult life, school is, intrinsically, a second home for students who spend major parts of their days within the confines of the classroom. It is here that the teacher instills lessons from the set curriculum; finds ways to motivate pupils to excel, both academically and behaviorally. Often, it is the teacher who identifies students that require extra assistance in their subject; it is the teacher who notifies parents about their wards’ strengths and weaknesses; it is the teacher who inspires some to go beyond the expected and reach for the stars.

There are several classic cases to exemplify the varied roles teachers’ play in students’ lives. It is interesting and inspiring to read eulogies from celebrities who attest that their personal and professional growth wouldn’t have been what it is if not for that one teacher who triggered that interest and fueled that passion. Like Stephen Hawking, theoretical physicist, cosmologist and author, who attributed his success to his teacher with these words, “At the age of 14, I was inspired by my teacher Dikran Tahta to do mathematics, more mathematics, and physics…” Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft Foundation, admitted that he wouldn’t be where he is today without the guidance of his maths and drama teachers. He went on to say, “There is no way there would have been a Microsoft without what they did.”

There are several such heartwarming stories that are testament to the influence teachers wield on the lives of students during that impressionable young age – directly or indirectly. In a tribute to her teacher, Oprah Winfrey is quoted to have said: “I always, because of you, felt I could take on the world. You did exactly what teachers are supposed to do; they create a spark for learning that lives with you from then on. It’s why I have a talk show today.”

Closer home, one of the most endearing stories concerns the Late His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, who personally received the former Indian President, the late Shankar Dayal Sharma, during his official visit to the country. This, according to reports, is the respect the Late Sultan bestowed on his teacher – he was taught by Shankar Dayal Sharma during his student days in Pune.

Even beyond the realm of luminaries, there are countless stories of teachers who have kindled that spark of innovation, whether to create technological wonders or to uphold basic human values. There is a bond here, a bond that gets cemented over the course of the scholastic years.

While these stories add to the essence of Omani Teachers Day, they also set in motion the immense sense of gratitude that every student – old and new – has for that one teacher who made all the difference.

Seen in Oman’s context, this is, indeed, a significant day for every teacher. From only three schools with 30 male teachers in 1970, Oman’s education sector has witnessed meteoric growth. Today, the country has over 58,704 teachers, both male and female, and has hundreds of primary schools and higher education institutions.

As Her Highness the Honourable Lady Sayyida Ahad Bint Abdullah Al Busaidi, Spouse of His Majesty Sultan Haitham Bin Tarik, noted in her congratulatory message on the occasion of Oman Teachers Day, “Throughout the ages, the teacher has always been a beacon that illuminates the paths of goodness and prosperity, and the cornerstone of every civilized building. And as our country celebrates the Omani Teacher’s Day, we can only send our deep congratulations and appreciation to every male and female teacher in our dear homeland, for their sincere efforts to raise children and arm them with virtuous human values ​​and important life knowledge.”

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