(Cont from Part 1)
3. Guidance through the programme of study
The teacher should never hold back good advice. The religion is built on good counsel. Guiding the student is part of religion. Groundwork must always be covered before attempting new tasks and approaching new concepts. ‘Guidance’ means reminding the student of the goal of study and condemning any desire for power, boasting and competition.
4.Sensitivity and gentleness in addressing the students
As ‘guide’ the teacher should ‘drive away’ bad characteristics. This requires sensitivity and gentleness. Reprimand should take the form of suggestion as much as possible and guidance should not be through rebuking. Rebuking and outright and direct prohibition invite deviance and stubbornness.
5. Respect for other disciplines
The teacher should never belittle other fields of knowledge in front of his students. He should respect them and prepare his students to study all useful knowledge without imposing on them his or her own personal interests.
6. Matching the lesson to what the student can understand.
The teacher should follow the Prophets, about whom the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said ‘ We Prophets have been commanded to place people in their rightful places and to speak to them according to their ability to understand. ‘ Giving students concepts which are beyond their comprehension may lead to misunderstanding and frustration. For this reason, Jesus said ‘ Do not hang pearls around the necks of pig’. The teacher has to assess and evaluate the students level and the plan and guide.
7. Dealing with remedial learners
Not all the people are the same. The teacher has to ensure, while helping learners to fulfil their potential that they are not giving work or exposed to concepts that confuse and frustrate them. Some knowledge is compulsory. The teacher has to make sure the student attains the knowledge and then, sometimes, protect the students from going too fat into what might cause harm.
8. Practising what one preaches
It is very important that the teachers ‘actions’ match what they teach. The students learn through observance of behaviour. Teachers open for themselves ridicule and accusation if their conduct belies their teachings. They will through such behaviour lose the respect of his students.
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