The Forgotten Architects of Society

Every year on October 5th, the world pauses briefly to celebrate World Teachers’ Day—a day meant to honor those who shape minds, nurture curiosity, and lay the foundation for every profession that sustains society. Social media floods with heartfelt posts and nostalgic memories of school days, with people recalling how “that one teacher” changed their life. Yet, once the day fades, so does the gratitude. Behind those hashtags and tokens of appreciation lies an uncomfortable truth: teachers are among the most undervalued, underpaid, and overworked professionals in the modern world.

Behind those hashtags and tokens of appreciation lies an uncomfortable truth: teachers are among the most undervalued, underpaid, and overworked professionals in the modern world.

It’s a paradox that defines our times. The people responsible for building doctors, engineers, artists, and leaders are often treated as expendable, while those in entertainment or sports industries, though deserving of recognition for their craft, earn amounts so disproportionate that it raises questions about what society truly values.

The Irony of Value

In many ways, the world’s priorities are inverted. We idolize actors, athletes, and influencers—people who bring us joy, escape, and beauty—but we often ignore the foundation that made such individuals possible. Every celebrity, scientist, and entrepreneur began their journey in a classroom, guided by teachers who believed in their potential before the world did. And yet, it is not the teacher who walks the red carpet or earns seven-figure contracts.

In countries across the globe, teachers’ salaries barely meet the cost of living. In developing nations, the situation is even grimmer—educators are often forced to take on multiple jobs just to make ends meet. The UNESCO 2024 Global Education Monitoring Report notes that teacher shortages and poor compensation are among the leading causes of educational decline worldwide. The irony is cruel: we entrust teachers with our most precious resource—our children—yet fail to give them the respect, financial stability, and security their work deserves.

The Invisible Labor Behind Every Success

Teaching is not a 9-to-5 job. It is emotional labor, intellectual engagement, and moral responsibility rolled into one. A teacher doesn’t just teach lessons; they shape values, discipline, empathy, and resilience. They correct essays late into the night, design lessons to engage diverse learners, manage classrooms filled with contrasting personalities, and still find time to listen when a child silently asks for help.

A teacher doesn’t just teach lessons; they shape values, discipline, empathy, and resilience.

And yet, society treats this as if it were a simple transaction of knowledge delivery. In reality, teachers play multiple roles—educator, counselor, mentor, and even parent figure—but are paid and treated as if they merely “cover the syllabus.” The world’s economic structures simply do not account for emotional or intellectual investment.

Why Do Teachers Get Paid So Little?

The roots of this inequity run deep. Teaching has historically been viewed as a “calling” rather than a profession, a noble act of service rather than a career deserving of high financial reward. This romanticized notion has often been used to justify low pay and poor working conditions. Moreover, since teaching is still a profession dominated by women globally, gendered biases have also played a part—societies often undervalue care-based professions precisely because they are feminized.

Since teaching is still a profession dominated by women globally, gendered biases have also played a part.

Contrast this with entertainment industries, where talent is often quantified by market value—how much attention one commands, how many people buy tickets or subscribe. While entertainers indeed contribute to cultural and social wellbeing, their economic worth is not inherently greater than that of educators—it’s just that society has chosen to reward spectacle over substance.

The Psychological Toll of Being Undervalued

Many teachers enter the profession with passion and idealism, only to face disillusionment within a few years. Long hours, excessive paperwork, outdated systems, and constant scrutiny from parents and administrations lead to burnout. The lack of recognition and inadequate pay amplify feelings of frustration and invisibility.

In some countries, teachers even face violence and harassment in classrooms, both from students and parents. Yet, they continue to show up, day after day, because teaching is not just a job—it’s a commitment to shaping futures. Still, good intentions cannot sustain a profession forever if it’s built on neglect. When teachers feel unseen and underappreciated, the entire education system suffers.

The Ripple Effect: Declining Quality of Education

When a society refuses to invest adequately in its teachers, it indirectly sabotages its own future. Poor pay and lack of respect discourage talented individuals from entering or staying in the profession. Schools become understaffed, classes overcrowded, and the passion for teaching fades into mechanical routine.

Schools become understaffed, classes overcrowded, and the passion for teaching fades into mechanical routine.

The result? Students lose out—not just academically, but morally and emotionally. A disempowered teacher cannot inspire confidence or creativity. As education becomes more commercialized and standardized, the personal connection between student and teacher—the core of real learning—starts to erode.

The Disparity in Recognition

Celebrity culture has created an illusion of importance, where fame equals value. Entertainment and sports command attention because they are visible, glamorous, and emotionally engaging. Teaching, on the other hand, happens quietly, without cameras, applause, or mass attention. It’s the silent labor that holds civilization together, but silence rarely trends.

It’s not that entertainers shouldn’t earn well—they should. But when a teacher’s lifetime earnings cannot equal a movie star’s single endorsement deal, the disparity becomes morally unsettling. Both professions contribute differently to society, but only one sustains its moral and intellectual growth.

Reimagining Respect

Respect for teachers should go beyond words or symbolic gestures. It should manifest in policy and cultural attitude. Governments must reinvest in education, ensuring fair salaries, resources, and emotional support systems for educators. Schools should provide avenues for teacher development and creativity, allowing them to evolve with changing times.

Culturally, we need to shift the narrative—from glorifying consumption to valuing contribution. Parents should reinforce respect for teachers at home, and media can play a major role by highlighting stories of educators who make extraordinary differences. Recognition doesn’t have to come in awards and titles; sometimes it begins with how we speak about teachers in everyday conversations.

 Parents should reinforce respect for teachers at home, and media can play a major role by highlighting stories of educators who make extraordinary differences.

A Call for Collective Reflection

World Teachers’ Day should not just be a date on the calendar—it should be a reminder of our moral responsibility. If we truly believe that education builds nations, then we must acknowledge that the people who deliver it deserve not just gratitude, but dignity and equity. The measure of a progressive society is not how much it entertains itself, but how deeply it values those who nurture its conscience.

The measure of a progressive society is not how much it entertains itself, but how deeply it values those who nurture its conscience.

As we scroll through social media tributes today, let’s also ask ourselves: Are we doing enough to ensure that the next generation of teachers doesn’t give up on teaching? Are we willing to push for change—to make sure they can live, not just survive?

Because at the end of the day, every innovation, every art form, every moral compass stems from one simple act—someone teaching someone else. Teachers are not just builders of knowledge; they are architects of humanity. And it’s high time we paid them accordingly—not just in praise, but in respect, resources, and real recognition.

About the Author

I am Sanchari Mukherjee, a student doing Masters in English from the reputed Presidency University, Calcutta. I love writing and appreciate art in all forms. Being a literature major, I have learnt to critically comment on things of various kinds. I take a deep interest in deconstructing the various essential structures and revealing the mechanisms of their working. Really glad that you came across my blog, hope you found it covering some critical insights essential for progress!