The Missing Regard for Teaching

Education on one hand can be seen as the most basic route of transmitting knowledge - that schools practice. That is centred on the teacher and her students. 
On the other it encompasses the ever-growing educational publishing industry, school stationery industry, educational service providers, tuition classes, co-curricular training centres, et al.
One can find that the growth of teachers has not been commensurate to the continuing enormous growth in other aspects of the education sector. While the some school teachers are well-paid and some others also enjoy such perks as attendance to foreign training workshops and certifications, the general state of teachers in the country is mediocre. 
In spite of schools being money-churners for the proprietors, one often finds that the most important player, the teacher, is neglected. Why is teaching considered to be the profession for bored housewives and those with a lot of spare time on their hands? Why does every child who is asked want to be a doctor, an engineer, MBA; none wants to be a teacher? Why hasn't teaching come over to the other side, and become an aspired profession?
Many think that those who cannot find other jobs begin teaching. How true is this thinking? Is teaching not one of the most challenging professions, considering the enormous responsibility it comes with? 
Only someone who has engaged with an easily distracted preschooler or an angst-ridden teenager for an extended period of time will understand how difficult it is. A teacher's job is not just to engage a classroom full of them, but guide them; make them learn with interest and understanding; work towards shaping their futures. 
Appreciating this aspect of the job, can make one well agree to have the teacher well paid and satisfied!
Another line of thought is that teachers nowadays do not take their jobs seriously and have let the quality of teaching slip. Examples from Indian legends are often taken to stress on the elevated status in society of theguru – who was knowledgeable, wise and who gave up everything else in life to pursue teaching. The guru therefore was most respected, as he moulded the futures of his shishyas (students), many of whom later became scientists, scholars, famous warriors and great kings. 
The onus is therefore on both teacher and society to reclaim the lost glory of teaching as a profession. Just like in the past, only people who are qualified and trained should become teachers, not those who could not qualify to become doctors, engineers or managers. 
At the same time, society should encourage teachers to be treated as any other person working in corporate – who is compensated according to her qualifications, experience and work profile. 
By doing this the quality of teaching and teachers can see the same proportionate growth that the education sector is currently witnessing.