Times, however, are changing, and these days the roles of the students have been reversed with them leading discussions in the class and being more interactive.[break]
While the teachers may exert some control over the students, once they step outside the boundary of the classroom, it is a totally different world.
The relationships between teachers and students have evolved over time with more advanced and liberal teaching methods. Moreover, with more young teachers getting their hands on teaching, students these days enjoy the liberty of sharing informal relations with them as well.
But besides the liberty issue, how would students and teachers feel once they inadvertently meet outside of the classroom?
These days, with restaurants being hubs for people to lounge around, chances of them bumping into each other are more often likely than ever before.
Sampada Shrestha, 23, a college student is of the opinion that though she shares a friendly relation with her teachers, there comes a boundary when she sees them outside the college area.
“I wouldn’t want my teachers to get involved in my social life, and whenever I do meet them in restaurants, it becomes really awkward,” she explains.
She even recalls a moment when she literally had to drag herself to approach her teacher and greet her as she felt that she was not appropriately dressed.
While we may think that it is only the students who get tongue-tied while being in such situations, teachers, too, feel that they are in similar boats.
Indra Dhoj Kshetri, 28, a teacher at Polygon College in Babar Mahal explains how it is really uneasy to accidentally meet his students at a casual place, especially when he is drinking or smoking. “I don’t know how to act in that situation and I wouldn’t want them to see me.”
He further says that there are even instances when students themselves are smoking and he is unable to comment on their activity as it is outside of the college area. “But I make it a point to ask them not to smoke at least in front of me.”
Kshetri however explains that times have changed, and students are almost at the same level as teachers in most cases.
The limitations between students and teachers are fading away. “Back then, it would’ve been a taboo to watch movies together with teachers, but nowadays such activities are common,” he explains.
But he believes that no matter how open-minded teachers can get, there should be some dividing lines, especially in terms of smoking and drinking in the presence of teachers.
Another teacher, Shiromani Dhital, 28, who teaches at Kumari College in Boudha, says that since it is very normal, he does not take it as a surprise to see his students at the same restaurant. “But it all depends upon whom I am with,” he says.
He adds that restaurants have become socializing places; so he usually says “Hi!” to his students if he meets them, and leaves.
Considering the vast differences between the time back then and now, he explains how teachers used to be really stern in those days and not so young, either.
“These days classes are participatory. We don’t have generation gaps now as many teachers and students are almost of the same age, and sometimes there are even older students than us.”
Though students and teachers do share casual relationships, when it comes down to their personal lives, everyone needs a space.
Twenty-four-year-old student, Pratik Sijapati, says that he would never want to be seen in public places like restaurants by his teachers.
Like everyone who would love to relish their liberty, he believes, “I wouldn’t want to get caught smoking or doing other personal things. Also, I would want my space and I would never be myself with my teachers around,” he adds. “Nor would I wish to get out of my comfort zone, either.”
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