Education is a shared responsibility

WE often hear the statement that there are no students who cannot be taught, only teachers who do not know how to teach.

Perhaps it was originally intended to encourage educators to remain patient and continuously improve their teaching methods.

However, when it is repeated without qualification, it creates an unfair assumption: whenever students fail to improve, teachers must be responsible.

Can education truly succeed through the efforts of teachers alone? Teachers today are expected to do far more than deliver lessons. They are required to monitor students’ motivation, emotions, attendance, behaviour and, at times, even their family circumstances.

When students perform poorly, teachers are expected to reflect. When students lose interest, teachers must make lessons more engaging.

When assignments are not completed, teachers are expected to provide reminders, encouragement and additional support.

Caring for students is undoubtedly part of a teacher’s responsibility. However, when almost all responsibility is placed on teachers, we risk overlooking two equally important participants in education: students and parents.

Learning is a shared responsibility, not a one-way service.

Teachers can prepare lessons carefully, explain difficult concepts repeatedly and sacrifice their personal time to provide extra guidance.

However, they cannot attend classes on behalf of students, complete assignments for them or develop self-discipline in their place. Even the most innovative teaching methods will have limited impact if students are repeatedly absent, frequently late or unwilling to complete their work.

Similarly, if parents only question teachers after disappointing examination results are released, while paying little attention to their children’s daily learning habits, attitudes and sense of responsibility, the problem will not disappear simply by replacing the teacher.

Expectations placed on teachers have, in some ways, become almost limitless. They are expected to be patient, creative, compassionate and constantly available.

Many respond to messages after working hours, conduct additional lessons on weekends and prepare teaching materials during school holidays. Such efforts are often taken for granted.

Yet, when teachers establish reasonable boundaries, they may be criticised for lacking commitment, patience or care. Setting boundaries does not mean abandoning students or giving up on education. Providing equal access to education means that every student deserves the opportunity to learn.

It does not mean teachers must repeatedly accept indifference, unexplained absences, broken commitments or irresponsible behaviour.

Education requires compassion, but it also requires discipline. It requires encouragement, but it must also involve consequences. It requires teachers who are willing to teach and students who are willing to learn.

When students become accustomed to blaming traffic for lateness, unexpected matters for absence, a busy schedule for unfinished work and ineffective teaching for poor results, are we nurturing responsible young people or a generation that has become comfortable making excuses?

True education should teach young people that every choice has consequences, every commitment should be honoured and every goal requires effort.

Teachers can guide students, but they cannot walk the entire journey for them.

Parents can offer support, but they cannot shield their children from responsibility forever. Schools can create opportunities, but they cannot guarantee success for those who repeatedly fail to value them.

Sometimes, students do not need greater accommodation. They need a clear and honest message instead: take responsibility for your own learning.

Education must not depend on teachers alone. It must be built on shared effort, accountability and responsibility.

ANG WEI ZHI

Penang