The Progressive Teacher Vol 04 Issue 03

administrators and teachers.
The gifted students need to have
a plan and so do the students
who are struggling to cope or
are barely attaining an average
score. In the process of doing
justice to our subject (be it
English, Math, Science or any
other) are we neglecting or not
noticing the fact that at times
the high achievers in the school
are psychologically overpowering
the ones who are just about
coping to reach the grade level?
This results in bullying and peer
pressure is built, unknowingly on
the student who is not scoring
well. Some values are needed to
address this aspect, too.
Have we acknowledged the fact
that the self-esteem of the under
achievers or the average children
has to be taken into account?
Otherwise, they may grow up to
be worthless citizens causing
unrest in society as is prevalent
in the current scenario.
The seed is sown in the junior
school and much before that
in the homes. When the child
enters school, he has certain
preset notions. This is the reason
why we need to have parents as
partners in school. They are equal
stake holders and the connect
amongst the Teacher-Learner-
Parent is always important.
Celebrations in the school in the
form of assemblies, talk shows,
presentations by guest speakers,
parent volunteers should include
festivals from across religions
and across the world as the child
is an important part society. He
is a global citizen as the world
is shrinking and coming closer
as the boundaries are becoming
hazy with technology, pacts
between countries, exchange
programmes, etc.
Formal and informal
programmes in the classrooms
and school to address issues
like bullying, cooperation and
compassion do drive the point
home. Responsible roles given
to children in school instil
leadership qualities. Reward
programme encourages children
and negative remarks should be
avoided as they put off the child.
Our aim is not to hinder the
child’s progress but to get him
into the main stream in the most
amicable manner.
Gautam Buddha said - The past
is already gone, the future is
not yet here. There’s only one
moment for you to live, and that
is the present moment.
Let us today inculcate education
with values, like a solute and
solvent to form a mixture and
in the process, formulate a
HUMANE BEING, and not just
a human being.
The life skills learnt at a young
age get embedded. This should
include a spirit of inquiry,
desired relationships through
collaborative ties, sensitising
the children about the burning
topics affecting our lives for
example environment related
issues, following rules within
the school and society, donating
unused material to the deprived,
recycling discarded material, visit
to a blind school or interaction
with differently abled children.
As part of community service, in
the form of hands-on activity, it
will leave a long lasting impact
on these young minds. This will be
for the betterment of society and
grooming of the child to become
a suitable global resident.
We cannot negate the aspect of
health and hygiene which too
goes a long way in redefining
the moral training we are
imparting to the children. Yoga
does wonders to the human
body and soul by keeping a fine
balance and produces a healthy
workforce. Meditation, too, done
differently for children, gives
them immense peace, relaxation
and happiness.
The new generation needs
to grow as they are full of
exuberance. It is our task to
redirect this powerhouse to
generate energy in the right
direction so that it reaches
the pinnacle comprising a
combination of a thinker, a
skilled worker and a person of
utmost integrity.
Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam remarked
–If a country is to be corruption
free and become a nation of
beautiful minds, I strongly feel
there are three key societal
members who can make a
difference. They are the father, the
mother and the teacher.
Likewise, Mahatama Gandhi said,
‘By education, I mean an all-round
drawing of the best in child and
man in body, mind and spirit.’
So all the best to my fellow
teachers for the future lies in
your hands.
Jul/Aug 2017
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