It
was evident
working full time would not be practical.So I decided to study Vaidehi, Srivatsa’s sister came to the rescue. She offered to take care of Arjun while I did
my Masters. I registered for a two year post graduate course in English
literature in Mumbai University. Since
classes were held in the afternoon, I could attend to the house, cook, fetch Anil
from playschool, feed him and tuck him in for his siesta. Vaidehi took Arjun to Hyderabad where she lived.
Her husband, Jaisimha, was the Managing
Director of a Sugar Factory. Three
months before my final year exams, she took Anil too so I could study. She took care of them when they had chicken
pox and other minor ailments, without letting me know, to save me the stress. It was thanks to her that I could devote my
time to study and get a fairly good score in my exams. I owe more than this to her . In the early turbulent
years of my married life, it was she who would give me insight into her
brother’s nature and helped me understand him.
Teaching was
just right for me. The timings were convenient, plenty of holidays and I
loved the profession. I stuck to part- time till I could handle home and work
without either suffering .The money is no big deal but the satisfaction I get
out of interacting with students, academics .But my current activity of
conducting training programmes (more about it later) is in a way akin to
teaching.
I had
a good rapport with my students. One fact I understood was that they do not
come to class to learn. Our education system ensures that. Basically exam
oriented , the syllabus and teaching methods encourage learning by rote. The
students are spoon fed and any sign of deviating from a laid down pattern
is frowned upon. Teachers themselves are
not motivated to introduce innovative styles as they get little support from
the establishment which is bureaucratic, even in privately managed
institutions. Surprisingly parents too
are stuck in the same rut of memorizing and reproducing, so the students have
no choice. I saw a movie DEAD POETS SOCIETY in which the unconventional methods
of a teacher , earned him a dismissal. Principals are also to blame as they are
puppets of self- serving managements and rarely give the backup support
teachers need.
I
taught English in K C College in Mumbai. Actually , I was more like a
detective, trying to catch the culprits who were upto mischief. English was a
compulsory subject which would not make a difference to their group
performance, so students came only for their mandatory attendance and hassle the teacher. Once I understood
their intention, I followed the Wesley (remember my professor ?) method of
going beyond the text book. This also meant going beyond the class room because
I helped them with extracurricular activities and became a counselor to those
with personal problems.
The
secret is to win their confidence.
Students respect teachers who are fair, fond and firm. Most teachers
take themselves too seriously and try to control their wards. They are not open to their point of view and
discourage healthy dialogue or debate. Those
who have an informal, open – door policy, find it easier to keep their students
attention. I found the best way to win over the young is to have a sense of humour. Their trespasses must be condoned in a
sporting spirit with limits spelt out.
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