On Teachers’ Day 2025, Kerala Higher Education Minister R. Bindu recalled the deep influence of her teacher, who instilled in her the value of treating all students equally regardless of their background. She shared how her teacher’s emphasis on fairness, respect, and equal opportunity shaped her approach to leadership and education policy. For the minister, these lessons remain a guiding force in her role of ensuring higher education stays inclusive and accessible to every student in Kerala.
I am writing about this because the minister’s reflections remind us that behind every leader is a teacher whose principles left a lasting impression. Teachers’ Day is not just about honouring educators with flowers and speeches but about recognising the moral compass they provide. The values of equality and respect are particularly important in education, where systemic biases often deny students the chance to achieve their potential. Highlighting such stories helps us connect classroom lessons with the policies that later impact society. It is crucial that we revisit these values today, when challenges like unequal access to resources, gender bias, and social discrimination still affect learning. By looking at how teachers inspire future leaders, we can better understand the power of education in building a fairer society.
A teacher’s lesson in equality
The minister shared that her teacher treated every child with the same dignity, whether they came from privileged or modest homes. This approach gave students a sense of belonging and confidence, and it made classrooms spaces of trust rather than fear. For her, this was a powerful lesson that true teaching goes beyond academics—it shapes a student’s values and worldview.
Why egalitarian values matter in higher education
In the context of higher education, fairness and equality are not abstract ideals. They play a key role in ensuring:
- Equal opportunities for students from all social and economic groups
- Greater representation of women and marginalised communities in colleges
- Policies that reduce the gap between urban and rural education systems
These values become more pressing today as competition, financial barriers, and lack of inclusivity continue to affect students’ educational journeys.
Teachers’ Day as a call for reflection
While the day is celebrated across the country with events and cultural programmes, the minister’s message makes it clear that Teachers’ Day should also be a moment of reflection. It is about remembering how much influence teachers hold, not just over individuals but over the larger society through the actions of their students. When today’s students grow into tomorrow’s policymakers, administrators, and professionals, the lessons of equality and fairness they learned in school become the foundations of their leadership.
