Teachers must be trained to recognize and meet student needs that have evolved through societal changes. At present, children are given too much factual knowledge without the emotional background necessary to cope with and use the knowledge. They must be given the opportunity to want to learn without having knowledge thrust upon them at an early age. The role of the teacher changed during this century from source of knowledge to programmer of knowledge. The teacher is expected to fulfill a wide variety of capacities in professional as well as in personal areas of child development. To meet the needs of the students, teachers must be trained to cope with reality. Qualities and characteristics that should be fostered in teachers for the future include flexibility, maturity, intelligence, and stability. An assertive effort to upgrade the professional image and skills of teachers must be made. (FG)