Before branding my teachers with these tags, let’s discuss the national attitude towards teaching. The teaching had become the least sought after job after a few decade of the formation of Pakistan. Anyone who could not become doctor, engineer, civil servant or successful person would become a teacher.
The profession, let’s call it profession for easy reference, became plagued with failed personalities. These teachers were devoid of dedication but knew something about their subject. Things worsened gradually. Today’s teachers don’t know dedication and their subject altogether. Most of teachers that I had to bear were lifeless people, having no aim in life except the end of the month.
Coming back to Punjab Law College. We had some teachers in the college’s permanent faculty and some in the visiting faculty. The visiting faculty members were slightly better than the permanent teachers. They had a lot of exposure, were well-read, were well-travelled, knew their subject well and encouraged academic debate during lectures.
Retired government employees i.e. retired judges, army officials and bureaucrats were exceptions in the visiting faculty. They encouraged flattery, would tell about the superman tasks they did to save the system (aka Pakistan) and would discourage questioning during the lectures. Their favourite weapon in this regard was the heart-burning one-liner. "Baita jitni app ki umer hai, utna mera tajurba hai." (Kid, my experience is more than your age). The one-liner is quite potent to discourage anyone from asking any question during the rest of the teacher’s term. And besides they have an over-hot temper which boils quite often.
The permanent faculty had its own issues. Most of permanent faculty members were young struggling law graduates. No profession is as tough for the novices as practicing law. Been there, done that. Initial years of practice are labourious but rewardless. Most young lawyers either quit the profession, joining civil service, becoming judges or teachers in law colleges.
They are given a meager pay for a hectic 10-hour shift. And most of the time they are given subjects they hated during their student-days.
The ugly:
There was a teacher in our permanent faculty who was so confident of his speaking skills that he would speak nothing but non-sense for good 50-minutes. Such was the level of his confidence that he would do it often to kill the time. He would often disclose before us that he hated teaching. Incompetent, but honest. I had to bear him for two years.
The Okays:
Most of permanent faculty members fall in this category. They were in their formative years. Had so many of inferiority complexes, insecurities but were hard workers. They would prepare the lectures in advance. Ms Shaista, Mr Azeem Farooqi are the two names that I can remember know in this list. They were hardworkers, did not mind admitting their ignorance on law points. They would often note down questions and answer them in the next lecture.
The best:
Mr. Anwar taught us English Jurisprudence. He was a handsome person by every standard. He knew his subject like the back of his hand. He would give the most accurate and satisfying answer to any question thrown at him. Anwar would do brain storming during the lecture and would also encourage the same. I never met him after my graduation but most of his lectures are still fresh in my mind. He encouraged me to read my text books. He would make the whole class think. I owe him a lot.
Ms Hadiya Awan was and still the principal of our college. She taught us Law of Contract. She was soft spoken, loved to laugh and had a beautiful laughter. She looked like everyone’s dream teacher. She would painstakingly explain basic concepts to late comers, without showing any annoyance. She was a dedicated teacher and knew everything about anything. Hadiya had this ability to explain eveything in its most easiest form. She had sacrificed her family life over her dedication to her profession. She was good with remembering names. We never had to repeat our names to introduce ourselves. And for those of you, who have not seen her, I have found this link http://www.plc.edu.pk/faculty_principal_lhr.asp
Most of permanent faculty members fall in this category. They were in their formative years. Had so many of inferiority complexes, insecurities but were hard workers. They would prepare the lectures in advance. Ms Shaista, Mr Azeem Farooqi are the two names that I can remember know in this list. They were hardworkers, did not mind admitting their ignorance on law points. They would often note down questions and answer them in the next lecture.
The best:
Mr. Anwar taught us English Jurisprudence. He was a handsome person by every standard. He knew his subject like the back of his hand. He would give the most accurate and satisfying answer to any question thrown at him. Anwar would do brain storming during the lecture and would also encourage the same. I never met him after my graduation but most of his lectures are still fresh in my mind. He encouraged me to read my text books. He would make the whole class think. I owe him a lot.
Ms Hadiya Awan was and still the principal of our college. She taught us Law of Contract. She was soft spoken, loved to laugh and had a beautiful laughter. She looked like everyone’s dream teacher. She would painstakingly explain basic concepts to late comers, without showing any annoyance. She was a dedicated teacher and knew everything about anything. Hadiya had this ability to explain eveything in its most easiest form. She had sacrificed her family life over her dedication to her profession. She was good with remembering names. We never had to repeat our names to introduce ourselves. And for those of you, who have not seen her, I have found this link http://www.plc.edu.pk/faculty_principal_lhr.asp
Postscript: The next post will discuss my class fellows, and yes, including the front row buxom girl we all loved to ogle at.
