Perhaps the nost talked topic last year in each seminar, symposium, workshop and conference in each level was the next millennum. Our expectations, our preparedness overcoming the limitations to become more competent & in every way to become

an active participant of the 21st century. In YEP Forum most possibly (in our country) it was discussed most. Each member of the forum deeply felt he/she should do everything required to prepare him/herself to become the best professional in his/her respective field, because that's the only way to help the nation to be best prepared to face the new century. Although it is every citizen's duty to work within his/her area to serve the cause yet who else can help the nation best than the teachers community, be it in the primary, secondary or tertiary level?

Are the teachers of our country carrying out their primary responsibilities (except for a few) wholeheartedly? Have they

taken their profession just like any other job? Don't they ever feel that they owe something more to the society than any other person? Can a teacher think of self improvement without his/her studens' improvement? Outside the classroom do we feel concerned about the student's future? Have we ever felt that we are moulding the generation next and it is very much possible to mould them the way the nation needs? Are we only to lament over the past, saying gone are the days when the teachers were honoured more than the parents? Can't we just bring back the values we have lost? Can't we try to stop the degeneration of the community in many respects? If you are not prepared to take the load, you may look for any other job which will fetch you more money. Yes, teaching is a laborious job. Once you have decided to be a teacher, you have given yourself the responsibility of preparing the future generations. No matter at what level one is teaching, one may be a primary school teacher living in the remote countryside who really depends on the salary for his livelihood, one may be a very modern college teacher living a very urban life or a university teacher maintaining a very busy schedule for taking classes in one side and preparing for his higher degrees on the other-but nothing really stops him from becoming a real friend, philosopher and guide to his/her student as long as he is motivated enough.

Our appeal to the young please stop blaming the education or any other system rather let us start creating awareness for changing any system which is not pragmatic enough. We believe gradually success will be achieved. The demand of the time is a group of well educated, smart, trained & motivated teachers who would really be capable of moulding the future generation to be competent enough to face the new millennium.

Can't we dream that we would be the best teachers of the century and would best serve the nation.

The Teachers chapter of YEP form offers you the platform to act from that will energise the young and motivated ones to work hand in hand towards a brighter future.

Throunghout 1998 each chapter of YEP form was involved in various activities and it has planned exciting activities during 199 too. Anybody who feels the way we do, are invited to share the dreams and activities to the YEP members.

A very Happy New Year to all.

(The writter is a phncipal of B.A.F Shaheen School english medum.)