Bengaluru : Chief minister DK Shivakumar’s announcement allowing teachers to use ‘Tr’ as a prefix before their names has drawn a mixed response, with teachers’ associations welcoming the move, while education experts called for greater attention to the profession’s status and teachers’ working conditions.
Ramya Venkataraman, founder and CEO of the Centre for Teacher Accreditation (CENTA), said the move recognises the profession and could help make teaching a more aspirational career. At the same time, the devil lies in the detail,” she said. “Since NEP 2020 has opened up multiple pathways into the teaching profession, including allowing subject experts to enter through lateral routes, it is important that the prefix is open to these pathways as well, rather than being limited to the traditional route,” she said. The profession needs a deep-clean makeover, and the title is possibly a first step,” she said.
“It is recognition for the profession and contributes towards making teaching aspirational, which all of us want. Overall, I think it’s a good idea.
“Nearly 70% of schools are located in rural areas.
They understand ‘Guruji’ and ‘Master’, for which there is no need for government publicity,” he said. The Karnataka Government College Teachers’ Association said the prefix could also be used by guest teachers. “Any teacher is a teacher,” said Prof Manjunatha TM, president, Karnataka Government College Teachers’ Association (R). HK Manjunath, honorary president, Karnataka State High School Co-Teachers Association, said the decision would enhance the dignity of the profession. “Giving teachers a short form will not only increase the respect for the teaching profession but will also allow teachers to work more consciously,” he said.
Villagers may not understand the meaning, expansion or significance of ‘Tr’, which has an English/British flavour. Teacher associations, however, largely welcomed the decision. He pointed out that professors already use ‘Prof’ before their names, while teachers with PhDs use ‘Dr’.