By Prof. Bholanath Dutta
A school management was trying to understand why so many experienced teachers were leaving the profession.
The usual explanations were discussed.
Some people blamed workload.
Others pointed to stress.
A few suggested that younger generations simply lacked commitment.
Wanting to hear the truth firsthand, they invited a teacher who had recently resigned after years in the classroom.
The interviewer asked a simple question.
"Why did you leave?"
The teacher paused for a moment before responding.
"I have a Master's degree. I spent years studying my subject and learning how to teach it effectively. I work hard, often far beyond my contracted hours. I genuinely love working with children and helping them discover their potential. Teaching was never just a job for me—it was a calling."
The room was silent.
Then the teacher continued.
"I accepted that I would never become wealthy in this profession. I knew the salary would not reflect the effort required. What I did not expect was how often I would feel undervalued, questioned, criticized, and disrespected."
"Some people assume teachers work short days because they only see us when the school bell rings. They do not see the lesson planning, grading, parent communication, professional development, student mentoring, and countless responsibilities that continue long after students go home."
"Many expect teachers to solve every problem facing society. If students struggle academically, teachers are blamed. If students misbehave, teachers are blamed. If children spend hours on screens, experience mental health challenges, or lack support at home, somehow the responsibility still finds its way back to teachers."
"Over time, it becomes exhausting to give so much and feel that so few understand the work you do."
The interviewer asked another question.
"Was it the salary that made you leave?"
The teacher thought for a moment.
"The salary mattered. Everyone deserves fair compensation for professional work. But if I am being honest, people can tolerate many challenges when they feel respected. What ultimately drove me away was the feeling that society expected more from teachers every year while valuing them less and less."
Teachers do not enter the profession expecting applause.
But they do expect professional respect.
They expect their expertise to be trusted.
They expect their contributions to be valued.
They expect to be treated as professionals rather than as convenient targets whenever something goes wrong.
If we truly want to fix education, we must recognize a simple truth: schools cannot succeed without great teachers, and great teachers rarely stay where they feel constantly undervalued.
Recruiting teachers is important.
Training teachers is important.
But respecting teachers may be the most important educational investment of all.
Because when talented educators walk away, it is not just a profession that loses.
It is an entire generation of student
By Prof. Bholanath Dutta 3rd
Founder & President- MTC Global®I World Bank Quality Assurance Expert (2016-18)I Author of 21 Best Selling Books I Startup India Champion Mentor I MoC AIM/ATL Niti Aayog
www.linkedin.com
A school management was trying to understand why so many experienced teachers were leaving the profession.
The usual explanations were discussed.
Some people blamed workload.
Others pointed to stress.
A few suggested that younger generations simply lacked commitment.
Wanting to hear the truth firsthand, they invited a teacher who had recently resigned after years in the classroom.
The interviewer asked a simple question.
"Why did you leave?"
The teacher paused for a moment before responding.
"I have a Master's degree. I spent years studying my subject and learning how to teach it effectively. I work hard, often far beyond my contracted hours. I genuinely love working with children and helping them discover their potential. Teaching was never just a job for me—it was a calling."
The room was silent.
Then the teacher continued.
"I accepted that I would never become wealthy in this profession. I knew the salary would not reflect the effort required. What I did not expect was how often I would feel undervalued, questioned, criticized, and disrespected."
"Some people assume teachers work short days because they only see us when the school bell rings. They do not see the lesson planning, grading, parent communication, professional development, student mentoring, and countless responsibilities that continue long after students go home."
"Many expect teachers to solve every problem facing society. If students struggle academically, teachers are blamed. If students misbehave, teachers are blamed. If children spend hours on screens, experience mental health challenges, or lack support at home, somehow the responsibility still finds its way back to teachers."
"Over time, it becomes exhausting to give so much and feel that so few understand the work you do."
The interviewer asked another question.
"Was it the salary that made you leave?"
The teacher thought for a moment.
"The salary mattered. Everyone deserves fair compensation for professional work. But if I am being honest, people can tolerate many challenges when they feel respected. What ultimately drove me away was the feeling that society expected more from teachers every year while valuing them less and less."
Teachers do not enter the profession expecting applause.
But they do expect professional respect.
They expect their expertise to be trusted.
They expect their contributions to be valued.
They expect to be treated as professionals rather than as convenient targets whenever something goes wrong.
If we truly want to fix education, we must recognize a simple truth: schools cannot succeed without great teachers, and great teachers rarely stay where they feel constantly undervalued.
Recruiting teachers is important.
Training teachers is important.
But respecting teachers may be the most important educational investment of all.
Because when talented educators walk away, it is not just a profession that loses.
It is an entire generation of student
By Prof. Bholanath Dutta 3rd
Founder & President- MTC Global®I World Bank Quality Assurance Expert (2016-18)I Author of 21 Best Selling Books I Startup India Champion Mentor I MoC AIM/ATL Niti Aayog
Teachers leave due to lack of respect and value | Prof. Bholanath Dutta posted on the topic | LinkedIn
A school management was trying to understand why so many experienced teachers were leaving the profession. The usual explanations were discussed. Some people blamed workload. Others pointed to stress. A few suggested that younger generations simply lacked commitment. Wanting to hear the truth...
www.linkedin.com
They are constantly disrespected.