Does A Child Really Need A Teacher?

Does A Child Really Need A Teacher?

In this short article, I have tried to explain the importance & significance of a teacher's role. In the first half of this article, I have raised a few points that negate the role of the teacher, but in the later part of the essay, I have answered the objection positively by "yes, he needs a teacher". One should also keep the fact in mind, the availability of a teacher is impossible all the time. So the points that I have raised in the first half of the essay can come true in the life of a child at any stage of life: I mean everyone should gain knowledge by all means.

THE POINTS WHICH REPLY "NO"

1. A student can acquire knowledge carefully by observing & glancing over his surroundings. A student who takes a keen interest in Geography (oceans, seas, rivers, hills, etc.) can visit all the places to collect first-hand information, directly.

2. The environment is the best teacher; he can acquire knowledge from it, as a young baby learns his mother tongue from his surroundings.

3. In the modern age education, print, electronic & social media are very productive and play a vital role in the process of learning.

4. A child can learn directly from nature all the sciences, arts, and all branches of education by using his mental abilities (observation & perception). Just like the very first man. Who discovered these laws and formulas from nature without any guidance.

5. Children who live freely and liberally can establish a relationship (friendship) with others. They can judge their behavior (good or bad). In case, it is good (fruitful) they will carry on their friendship otherwise not. Conflicts are likely to provoke them. That will lead them to behave harshly & rudely with others! However, the consequences of disputes and their cost will force them to reconcile. 

The same force will help them to solve all their disputes and clashes without any elder's help. 

A child without any help creeps into socialization, a long process to learn the manners to live in society. Consequently, it will guide them to live happily and build a high-character society. 

6. Allah has blessed every child with curiosity to learn that automatically takes him forward from known to unknown matter.

7. Allah Almighty has bestowed every child with an instinct (hidden force) by it he can differentiate between right & wrong, or profit & loss without any guidance; For example, If a child burns his finger by a flame subsequently, he will not touch that again. The pain of the burnt finger will arouse a state of fear in him that will keep him away from the flame. 

The method of trial & error is the best teacher, which stops him to repeat the mischievous, that harms him. If he is forbidden forcefully by an elder, he will do it again and again. Force never stops a child, if one utilizes it he comes up more strongly, firmly, and severely than ever before. Argument, reason, and love is the only weapon that can prevent him from all his wrongdoings.

THE POINTS WHICH REPLY “YES”

1. Without a teacher, his knowledge will be devoid of accuracy, comprehensiveness, and perfection. For example, if he wants to know about the sea. Mere a visit to the seaside will not reveal its secrets. He can't collect information about depth, broadness, creatures, and many more things unless his teacher (guide) guides him.

Secondly, it is not possible to discover all the secrets of nature (things & matters) directly. Direct observance of stars, galaxies, planets, air, etc. is quite impossible.

In addition to it, the fundamental role of a teacher is not to feed data (by delivering information) but to encourage, inspire and guide him. Inspiration isn’t possible without a teacher.

2. A child can't learn all the sciences, technologies & arts without a teacher because they are not present in his surrounding like his mother tongue, which is spoken all around the child.

3. Media is playing a positive and negative role. It is like a double edge dagger that will throw a child in danger. A child's entry into the media zone without any checks and balances or guidance will fuel the negative aspects that will be dangerous for him and society.

4. Every time, it is not possible for anyone to explore something new. It is not sure that even the scientist who discovered or explored something at one stage of life will do it again. For instance, Newton discovered the Law of Gravity in 1687. Did he or other people not observe many times a fall of an apple on the earth before that point? Yes, they did. Why did the idea of gravity flash in his mind at that specific moment? Luck, insight, revelation, curiosity, and wisdom, all worked for him at that time. Will everyone discover it again and again?

Why should a child waste his energy on the useless thing when a teacher can make it easy for him. As a famous proverb say: no need to reinvent the wheel. 

It is the duty of a teacher who has learned these things earlier to guide & inform the child.

Secondly, people must keep or maintain their previous records of knowledge, culture, sciences, and discoveries. Otherwise, human life will travel in the same sphere. They will not advance in sciences and technology. Progress is merely possible if the child starts his journey at the point where his teacher left. It may happen only by guidance and counseling.

5. A child does not know about the strange people and their behavior which will lead him to establish a relationship with some criminal people, which may cause disaster for him and society at some stage of life. But under the supervision of an elder, he advances safely and smoothly toward socialization.

6. No doubt, Allah has bestowed every child with the instinct of curiosity. The best use of this curiosity depends upon a learned person or a teacher. His guide in the right direction according to the need and situation will enrich the child with knowledge & wisdom. On the contrary, he will lose all his abilities.

7. Keep this thing in your mind sometimes new adventures will throw a child into the danger zone, which will lead him to calamity & destruction. For example, if he enters his hand into the cage of a lion, then the rest depends upon the lion. The same is the case for other dangerous creatures, vipers, snakes, or electricity. He can go near them or touch the bare electric wires. Every time it is not possible for him to escape. Whether he was aware of the danger or not, he can't blame others for his disaster. In the same way, sometimes he may utter a few words, which may cause great trouble for him. Once a clown said some awful sentences before the king that made him furious. He summoned the order of his death. Just because of his sayings and he couldn’t" undo his statements.