What does Sikhism say about respect for Parents/Teachers/Elders?

I am trying out a new initiative in Secondary schools that calls for pupils to show the respect for teachers that they deserve. The only way I can see the pupils all identifying with some sort of law, is to remind them of what their religion says about respect.

I know what Islam and Christianity say about elders. I have also researched a little about Hinduism, and Judaism - but can't seem to find a reference to Sikhism and what the scriptures say?

Please help. Thanks.

Ta Da; I found some information.

"Whether living together or not, Sikh family members are expected to look after each other in time of need. The eldest person in the family is bestowed the appropriate respect and his/her views are strongly considered when making decisions on family matters."

Nic gave very good answer. Respect is gained through good parenting, good work and experiences. Here is wording of Guru regarding this.

http://www.srigranth.org/servlet/gurbani.gurbani?Action=KeertanPage&K=1200&L=11&id= 51828

Sikhism is very very great in itself. It teaches us to give respect to all human beings, because He is the creator of all of us, therefore all human beings have an equal right of respect. As said in Sri Guru Granth Sabib:-

1. eek Bahia Dhaka Saba nearer ||
Kaia Jana she koun piaaree ||2|| means:-

I look upon all His soul-brides with an impartial eye;
how can I know which ones are dear to the Husband Lord? ||2||


(Gaurhee Bhagat Kabeer Page 327)

2. mit(h)ath neevee naanakaa gun cha(n)giaaeeaa thath || Means:-

Sweetness and humility, O Nanak, are the essence of virtue and goodness. (Aasaa Raag By Gurunanakdevji page470)

3. jeevath pithar n maanai kooo mooeae(n) siraadhh karaahee ||
pithar bhee bapurae kahu kio paavehi kooaa kookar khaahee ||1|| Means:-

He does not honor his ancestors while they are alive, but he holds feasts in their honor after they have died.
Tell me, how can his poor ancestors receive what the crows and the dogs have eaten up? ||1||

Here Kabeer Sahib has criticized those people who do not respect their ancestors while alive but show that they respect them still now. Here it is clear that we should respect our elders while they are alive.
Here is a very meaningful hymn lines given below. These are related to Bhagat Prahlaad. His father was a very brutal King, who said no body in his kingdom would take the name of God, since he was the God himself. Prahlaad knew this fact that his father was wrong, but he did not protest against his cruelty and respected him all the time, and ultimately succeeded in emanicipation of not only his father but 21 generations of his family.

This Shabad is by Guru Amar Daas Ji in Raag Bhairao on Pannaa 1133
sa(n)th janaa kae har jeeo kaaraj savaarae ||
prehalaadh jan kae eikeeh kul oudhhaarae ||


The Dear Lord completes the tasks of the Saints.
He saved twenty-one generations of Prahlaad's descendents.

The teachings of Sri Guru Granth Sahib are great. If unfortunately you have ignored your parents by mistake and they are now not in this world, even then you can do for them every thing of their benefit as said in the lines of a hymn.

This Shabad is by Guru Arjan Dev Ji in Raag Gujri on Pannaa 496

goojaree mehalaa 5 ||
jis simarath sabh kilavikh naasehi pitharee hoe oudhhaaro ||
so har har thumh sadh hee jaapahu jaa kaa a(n)th n paaro ||1||
poothaa maathaa kee aasees ||
nimakh n bisaro thumh ko har har sadhaa bhajahu jagadhees ||1|| rehaao ||
MEANS:-
Goojaree, Fifth Mehla:
Remembering Him, all sins are erased, and ones generations are saved.
So meditate continually on the Lord, Har, Har; He has no end or limitation. ||1||
O son, this is your mother's hope and prayer,
that you may never forget the Lord, Har, Har, even for an instant. May you ever vibrate upon the Lord of the Universe. ||1||Pause||

In another hymn Guruji is advising the sons not to quarrel with their father, since he had brought him in this world.

This Shabad is by Guru Raam Daas Ji in Raag Saarang on Pannaa 1200

kaahae pooth jhagarath ho sa(n)g baap ||
jin kae janae baddeerae thum ho thin sio jhagarath paap ||1|| rehaao ||
MEANS:-
Saarang, Fourth Mehla, Third House, Du-Paday:
One Universal Creator God. By The Grace Of The True Guru:
O son, why do you argue with your father?
It is a sin to argue with the one who fathered you and raised you. ||1||Pause||

In the lines of another hymn the master says to give due respect to the women and not to say them bad, since they have given birth to even emperors.

This Shabad is by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in Raag Aasaa on Pannaa 473

bha(n)dd muaa bha(n)dd bhaaleeai bha(n)dd hovai ba(n)dhhaan ||
so kio ma(n)dhaa aakheeai jith ja(n)mehi raajaan ||
MEANS:-
When his woman dies, he seeks another woman; to woman he is bound.
So why call her bad? From her, kings are born.

I will go on giving references but it not come to an end. I think it is enough to follow well the teachings of the true Guru in respect of not only parents, teachers and elders, but He teaches us to give respect to whole of humanity as said by Guru Gobing Singh ji "Maanas kee jaat sabhae ekae pehchaanibo. Jagjeet Singh.