Teachers deserve respect from parents, students, the state, and the community because they play a critical role in shaping the society. Through them, we gain knowledge and develop skills that make us useful people in the society.
How much great should be our gratitude to those who give us knowledge? The teacher really prepares us for the great battle of life. What we get from him is irreparable by the things of the world.
We should respect and obey teacher because of the efforts that they put in our making. Every boy who is able to read this book will be in a position to realize what genuine interest his teachers take in his progress and welfare. To train your body in healthy games and exercises, to instruct you in the lessons set for you, to watch and direct your progress, to impress upon you the laws of good conduct and upright character – you must know how much pain your teachers take.
It is true that you pay school fees; but a teacher’s love and blessing can never be measured in terms of money.
When we respect and obey teachers, they become motivated to do their duties and help students learn and acquire knowledge. Knowledge is intrinsically divine, precious than the best material things of the world. All the various branches of knowledge that we study have for their central object, and culminate in, the finding of Truth.
The history of the world is a chronicle of the great, of the ceaseless struggle for the discovery of Truth - struggle against overwhelming odds of ignorance, calumny, persecution, and death. The humblest teacher is, therefore, a representative to us of the, great band of noble souls whose quest has been after Knowledge.
Obedience to teachers is the one necessary condition of all progress. It is in our own interest, to respect and obey teachers, and to emphasize the importance of education. Whatever be the kind of knowledge you seek, whether it be secular or religious, whether technical or literary, you can possibly make no advance unless you implicitly carry out the instructions given to you.
Respecting and obeying teachers also enhances learning. Students can attentively listen to lectures and understand what is taught in class while teachers are able to be at their best and teach effectively. At schools, your lessons have to be learnt, your body has to be drilled and made healthy and strong; your character has to be drawn out and nobly formed - all this for your own good. That is the goal of school training. Without respecting teachers, the younger generation may fail to realize the benefit of education and learning.
No good student should ever be disobedient. Remember, at one time, these teachers have been students themselves. Your difficulties and trials have been theirs. They know what is good for you better than you know yourselves. Their love for you, their desire for your progress, their joy in your destination, and the pain you cause them when yon err, is as great as, if not greater than, that of your parents. If you are sure of this - as you ought to be - will you disobey your teachers?
The teacher knows well most of your difficulties, and will only be too ready to redress your legitimate grievances. However, when your disobedience is due to laziness, indifference, or worse causes such as bad company or vicious habits, he has taken actions that are in your best interest.
Lastly, but not the least, many people will also find the teaching profession attractive when teachers are widely respected and obeyed.
The relation of teacher and student is an ancient and eternal relation.
Edited and Improved with inputs from various contributors.