BANGALORE - As students across Bangalore are set to pay respect to their teachers Saturday on the occasion of Teachers Day, a change is in sight in the educational campuses across the city - teachers are coming closer to the students as friends and mentors.

The equation between teachers and students is fast changing. More and more students in India’s Silicon Valley like to see their teachers as a friend, philosopher and guide, rather than someone who merely imparts textbook lessons to them.

“Gone are the days when the very sight of a teacher would send shivers down the spines of students. Now, with changing times, students expect teachers to be friendlier and understanding towards students’ emotional requirement. Teachers should be more of mentors and guides,” M. Srihari, a psychiatrist with the state government-run Bangalore Medical College, told IANS.

“It’s a good sign that Bangalore teachers are fast adopting the latest mantra and are influencing children’s lives by coming closer to their students, instead of scaring them away,” added Srihari.

In campuses across Bangalore, it is not difficult to find teachers and students chatting on innumerable issues over cups of coffee in canteens.

“The relationship between teachers and students goes beyond the four walls of a classroom. Students spend more than eight hours of a day in their schools or colleges. Thus, teachers have a bigger role. They should be more of mentors and guides to students,” said Charles Noronha, the vice-principal of St. Joseph’s Boys High School.

“Teachers should not only help children in their studies, but also help them shape their career paths and motivate them in their field of interests,” added Noroha, who is a teacher for more than three decades.

Students feel that if a teacher is friendlier and “cool”, studies become fun.

“A strict teacher is a fear factor in the classroom. If he or she bosses around with students, that simply hampers the students’ studies as they won’t be able to concentrate on their studies,” Vinay Pandya, a Class 10 student of a reputed Bangalore school, told IANS.

Echoing Vinay, a student of Mount Carmel College, Bangalore, said a friendlier teacher was a blessing for students.

“Today’s teachers are young and dynamic and they understand the requirement of youngsters. Not only do they guide us in our studies, they also help us in making our career decisions and encourage us to explore our hobbies,” said Tanya P. of Mount Carmel College.

However, many feel that there is a flip side to it, as students are fast losing respect for the teachers.

“Today’s children don’t respect their teachers. They take teachers for granted. At times, students don’t even bother to greet their teachers,” rued a college teacher.