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New Delhi: After parents, teachers are the people who are impactful in shaping our lives and preparing us to be better human beings and citizens of the nation. They certainly deserve to be honoured. This is the reason September 5 is celebrated each year as Teachers’ Day in India since 1962. This special day revers India’s first Vice President and second President, Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. Later, the day started celebrating all the teachers.
But it’s truly intriguing to know about the world’s very first teacher. While there’s no universally agreed-upon first teacher in the world or Indian history, Confucius is widely recognised as one of the first professional teachers in the world. In India, figures like the sages of the gurukul system, Gautam Buddha, and Chanakya were highly influential teachers whose knowledge was passed down through generations. Modern Indian history regards Savitribai Phule as the first female teacher of India, who championed education for marginalised girls.
As the Teachers’ Day 2025 is approaching, it is the apt time to remind ourselves about first and influential teachers of the world as well as of India. Here is the list.
1. Confucius
Confucius is widely regarded as the world’s first teacher. Born on September 28 in 551 BC in China, this great philosopher worked to make education accessible to all, whereas during his time, education was mainly reserved for the children of the royal family. Confucius opted to become a tutor, in exchange for a small symbolic gift, thus paving the way for broader eduational opportunities.
His philosophy of education went beyond learning vocational skills. He focused on a holistic curriculum, including the Six Arts such as ritual, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and arithmetic, to cultivate strong moral character in his students.
Rather than simply reciting facts, Confucius taught through discussion and debate. He encouraged his students to think critically and apply what they learned to their own lives.
Confucius’ dedication to teaching created a new class of gentlemen scholars who were not farmers, artisans, or merchants, but were dedicated to teaching and public service.
2. Aristotle
Some historians consider the Greek philosopher Aristotle, who was born in 384 BC, as the first teacher owing to his extensive philosophical work and influence.
First female teacher in India
1. Savitribai Phule
Savitribai Phule, along with her husband, were a ground breaker in advocating the right to education for girls. They brought revolution by opening the first school for girls in India in 1848. Savitribai is credited with being the first female teacher in India.
The school made headlines when, on the very first day, nine girls from different social backgrounds enrolled, setting an example for the phenomenal work the couple did later. Not satisfied with these laurels, the duo started more schools in and around Pune between 1848 and 1852.
Their first preference was children from Dalit communities at these schools. Eventually, night schools were also established. They also educated marginalised communities and worked for the welfare of pregnant widows.
These influential gurus and teachers have contributed immensely in shaping not their respective countries but the whole world! Let’s honour them in true sense by imbibing their teachings in our lives.
