Opinion | Teachers’ Day, Children’s Day and the Culture of Gift Giving, Rethinking Inclusive Celebrations

Children’s Day becomes meaningful when every child smiles not just those who can afford gifts

Teachers’ Day on 5th September and Children’s Day on 14th November are occasions when schools across India celebrate fervently every year. These occasions are set aside for the relationship between a teacher and a student to honor and strengthen values of respect and affection and allow joyfulness, creativity, and reflection. But the recent years have generally adopted a subtle but ill trend in token giving. Although it is considered innocuous, this trend usually leads to emotional imbalance among children and required some serious questions of concern about the celebrations’ true spirit.

The Gift Problem in Schools.

After several years in service, I noticed a unique pattern. For example, on Teachers’ Day, only 20% of students would usually carry some gifts for their teachers. This means that the remaining 80% of the other students are just silent observers, not necessarily through lack of love or respect but just because they cannot afford even the smallest token.

It is from such imbalances that most of the children face emotional setbacks. Some will feel rejected, others will feel like their worth is considerably lesser than others, whereas others will just shy away due to their financial background. This is repeated on Children’s Day when some teachers will actually end up distributing returns of gifts to those very students who gave them on that day, unintentionally relegating the majority to once again the passive position of spectator against such happenings.

This situation is indeed unjust and goes contrary to the spirit of inclusion and education. A school should be such a place where children could breathe in equality regardless of their wealth or standing. When it becomes the case in celebrations to make gift giving the central theme, such celebrations undermine the very sense of that equality.

The Sacred Teacher Student Relationship.

There is no doubt about the sanctity and timelessness of this bond – it is beyond the measure of any material gift. A true teacher values discipline far more than any material or physical gift, curiosity, and sincerity. Similarly, the real tribute from students to their professional is his commitment to learning and respectful behavior rather than involving expensive material.

If this sacrosanct relationship could be reduced to gift giving, then it would teach the wrong lesson to the children that respect can be measured by wealth, which would hurt not only poor students but also undermine the values of simplicity, humility, and sincerity, which should come from education.

Rethinking Celebration inlcusive Alternatives.

Schools can adopt new costless and inclusive ways of celebrating Teachers’ Day and Children’s Day rather than having such days based on material gifts. This would ensure equal rights and nurture creativity in all children.

1. Handmade Greeting Cards & Thank-you Notes: Simple handwritten messages of thank you have more meaning than any commercial, bought gift.

2. Poems, Skits and Cultural Programs: Students can express respect through performances; hence with creativity.

3. Role Reversal Activities: Senior students will take a short class under supervision, thus giving them all a taste of being a teacher.

4. Tree Plantation Drive: For the collective “green gift” to their teachers and school students may plant saplings.

5. Wall of Gratitude: A chart paper where every student writes one line of appreciation to their teachers.

For Children.

1. Fun Games and Sports: Organize simple indoor and outdoor competitions to bring joy to the day.

2. Storytelling and Creative Writing: Inspire teachers to tell great stories, invite them to own telling.

3. Drawing and Painting Competitions: The themes “My Dream School” or “My Teacher” allow all of the students to shine.

4. Cultural Show: Each class should prepare a small performance in celebration of the joy of childhood.

5. Child in Leadership Roles: Allow students to act as monitors, announcers, and cultural heads for a day, so they feel empowered. These alternatives are not monetized but constitute the strength of values, participation and equality.

Why Schools Need to Stand Up.

Schools and educational leaders should thus take a clear stand against the acceptance or giving of gifts-a simple announcement would do much: “No gifts should be offered or accepted. Instead, students are encouraged to celebrate through creative and collective activities.”

These policies not only shield emotional damage among the children but also set a good example as well. It teaches the learners that actions show their ways, not objects, in earning respect. They also ensure that any child may be rich or poor feels valued equally regarding the celebrations.

Building the Future with Values One might say that education is the books. Education is also about the values that school constructs and the character that the school builds.

When Teachers’ Day and Children’s Day are celebrated inclusively, then they teach children that love, respect, and probably even gratitude are priceless. A heartfelt poem a kind word or a smile carries more weight than costly gifts.

Moving from material expressions, we come back to the real meaning of these days. Teachers’ Day becomes a reminder of what nobility is involved in teaching, while Children Day becomes a celebration of innocence joy and potential.

So, even when I have taught for 23 years, I still see how many students get hurt or otherwise misled emotionally on such events. While some proudly present gifts, many others quietly shrink back unable to participate due to financial constraints. These children are not without respect or love. They simply do not have the means. Yet, that silent burden of exclusion still leaves them hurt after such a celebration.

Teachers’ Day and Children’s Day are not for measuring the pockets of the rich and poor learners. They are the occasions to celebrate their relationship the values and the shared growth in students. Thus one should assure that no child feels miserable because one cannot afford a gift. Instead, let us innovate, motivate and include every student in this joy of celebration.

The greatest gift a student can give is respect and dedication and the greatest gift a teacher can return is knowledge and love. Together, these gifts are priceless and are for all equally.

Mukhtar.qur@gmail.com