An Afraid Teacher Cannot Make Brave Students

By Ayaz Mughal

“Ek ustaad kabhi darpok nahi ho sakta, aur jo dare, woh ustaad nahi ho sakta.”

These words hold a deep truth about the essence of teaching. A teacher is not just someone who delivers lessons from a book. A teacher is a guide, a motivator, and a role model. And none of these roles can be fulfilled by someone who is fearful.

Fear and teaching cannot go hand in hand. Why? Because teaching is not limited to explaining a syllabus, it’s about shaping minds and building character. When a teacher fears speaking the truth, questioning wrong practices, or raising their voice for justice, they fail the very purpose of education. Students don’t just learn from textbooks; they learn from the courage and conviction of their teachers.

Unfortunately, today, many teachers are forced into a corner. Some fear political pressures, some fear the system, and others fear losing their jobs. In such an environment, creativity dies, innovation disappears, and teaching becomes mechanical. A fearful teacher cannot inspire curiosity or critical thinking in students. They will only produce followers, not leaders.

History shows us that the greatest teachers were those who stood fearlessly for what was right. From Socrates to Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, from Savitribai Phule to APJ Abdul Kalam, these educators did not bow down to fear. They challenged stereotypes, questioned systems, and encouraged their students to think beyond boundaries. Imagine if these teachers had chosen silence out of fear, would the world have seen the revolutions they inspired?

Being fearless does not mean being reckless. It means having the courage to ask questions, to point out flaws, and to demand improvement, whether in the education system or in society. A teacher who dares to speak up against injustice is teaching the most important lesson: the lesson of integrity.

In today’s time, when education is often reduced to marks and degrees, we need fearless teachers more than ever. Teachers who will dare to say that character is more important than grades. Teachers who will challenge the commercialization of education. Teachers who will stand with their students, not just in classrooms, but in shaping a better future.

The role of a teacher is sacred, and it comes with a responsibility, a responsibility to speak the truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. If a teacher bows down to fear, they send a silent message to their students: “Stay quiet, even when you’re right.” That is the death of education.

A teacher’s strength lies not in their degree, but in their courage. If we want a society that is brave, honest, and progressive, we need teachers who are fearless.