Why don’t they want to study in school?

Toying with Education

Just the other day, an ex-colleague of mine was lamenting about how difficult it had become to teach a bunch of kids in classes nine and tenth and how they just didn’t seem to be interested in any lesson being taught. He went on to say that his students wanted to do just about anything but learn! I couldn’t help but smile at him seeing how worked up he was, and it showed that he was really concerned about the situation! He went so far as to say that he was determined to so something about the whole situation! When I asked him what he had planned out, he replied that he had thought of talking to his students to drum up some words of advice to his students.

After a few days, I called my friend and asked him if he had had any progress with the students, and he told me that had talked to his students about the Guru–Shishya tradition. He went further and told me that his students accepted that they were not paying attention in class because their minds were not in studies, they were just not interested in studies, they did not want to write anything, and they wanted the home work to be posted on the net. The situation had become rather uncontrollable, what with one of the boys taking up to whistling in class and making noises of barking dogs, and another rather creative bellow of a buffalo! It was interesting to note that there was a rather effective synergy between the students when it came to creating noise, probably with the express purpose of showing that they were in charge of the class and that teaching could progress only if they wished to learn! My ex-colleague later told me that no day passed without complaints from other teachers. The complaint was common, the boys did not let any teaching take place, they went to the wash room frequently, suckled on their water bottles all the time like little babies feeding from milk bottles, when they laughed, they laughed for no reason at all, and their laughter was like no other laughter, it sounded like a forced laughter, and often sounded like a bark or a cry of despair! He went on to state that the teachers had become fed up, and that some of the lady teachers were even close to tears!

During this period, I had begun reading a rather fascinating book titles Divasvapna by Gijubhai Badheka (the famous Gujarati teacher and educationist) in which the principal character happens to be an enterprising teacher who wishes to undertake experiments in Education. After getting the required permission from the Education Officer, he takes  up the teaching of one section of class four in a primary school.  The book describes the various disappointments and embarrassments he had to face at the hands of his pupils. The descriptions about the mischief of those boys studying in class four seemed to find an exact match in the descriptions that my ex-colleague had given me about his students who were studying in class ten. The only difference was that they were classes apart, Gijubhai wrote about students studying in an elementary class while my colleague was complaining about students studying in class tenth. I wonder if students of class tenth, (that he was teaching) had not perhaps regressed to an earlier age as was evinced by the type of mischief they resorted to! After all students of class tenth are much older than students studying in class four, so what then was making these students of class ten behave like students of class four? I told my ex-colleague to read Divasvapna  which I gladly leant to him although it was the English version, and he was a teacher of Sanskrit!

The next time we met was after one week, my ex-colleague told me that he had read the book in a couple of hours, and he came to the conclusion that education had become rather dry and uninteresting. He advocated the concept of joyful learning, but then expressed his apprehensions about experimenting too much at the senior levels especially because of the amount of syllabus that had to be covered. Story-telling could help ease stress and perhaps created the right atmosphere for the lesson, but then it should have to be done in such a manner so as not to distract the students from the lesson in hand! Moreover, the comprehensive continuous  formative evaluation or C.C.E. would have to be taken into account before launching an experiment in teaching methods!When students reach class tenth, then grades give way to marks, and C.C.E. gives way to paper and pen modes of evaluation. This is a rather abrupt transition for students of class eleven which leads to a sense of confusion. However, to get back to class tenth and the difficulties my ex-colleague was facing, after he did some in-depth study he came to the conclusion that there were many factors contributing to the rather disruptive behaviour of the students in his class. One major factor was that some of the children had a very bad schedule for the whole day. One student was allowed by his parents to stay awake till 3:00 a.m to “study” according to them. Another student had to go for coaching and had no time for rest. Yet another issue dealt with the fact that very few students played with friends at home because of their hectic coaching schedules, so they liked to catch up with their social activities at school , where their classmates were their “friends!” One student played with the two pet dogs at home, and the parents thought that was all the company he needed at home! The advent of formative assessments, in which most children got good marks with the least of study and preparation had made the students rather confident about passing on to the next class! Some of the students even confessed that they came to school to have fun and socialise with their friends, because they studied at home, and their parents had hired tutors to teach them at home! Unfortunately, in spite of C.C.E., parents are forcing their children into a rat-race, and though formative assessments have reduced the burden of paper and pen tests, what happens at home however is that the child continues to go to coaching institutes, and the child continues to attend tuitions. This has resulted in the chid becoming  a victim of stress of studies and so he tends to resort to disruptive behaviour in class. This is aided by the fact that most of the students feel the same way, they are tired, exhausted, stressed out, and cannot take in any more studies! Although our policies try to take away the stress from learning, the pressure that parents put on their children to get better marks, and to aim for premium careers has meant that the rat-race is still on! My ex-colleague commented that  “joyful learning can only be achieved when there is a partnership between parents and the school, where parents trust that the teachers are doing their best and not resort to the excessive burden of coaching and tuitions.

An in depth study of various innovative techniques for making class room teaching more effective lead to the identification of the story-telling method, simulations, use of toys, showing of movies, and experiments. These however are subject specific. While experiments are done mostly in pure sciences, simulations can be used in sciences, computer education and social sciences. Story telling, and roll-playing can be used in languages and almost any subject! While, no doubt, these methods are interesting and innovative, there is a danger that they might lead the student away from the topic, they might make the student over-enthusiastic in the method itself and not the topic of study. While experiments can be conducted  in the lower classes till fifth or sixth, we tend to adopt the more traditional methods of teaching or pedagogy as we progress towards the senior classes because of the time bound syllabus, and the need to clear concepts within a specific period. By the time students reach twelfth class, the penultimate class at the school level, they have to be equipped with skills to fend  for themselves in  the wider world, the world of competitions and the world of marks. To be successful their concepts should be clear, they should be confident about taking challenges, they should have enough awareness and knowledge in their respective subject areas. It is expected that they should be able to spell correctly, do mathematical calculations, and know about the world they live in!

 

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An Invocation to my Muse - A Poem

 

All day do I wait for my Muse to grant me inspiration,

For I gain no idea to write a poem, ‘cause of a life of

Hectic work dictated by  a life of recognition and need!

So this be a poem to invoke my Muse to inspire me,

With thoughts so fine that they rise on the tide of

Wind. A life of routine inspires me not  any more!

So sit I gazing at a life devoid of bird-song, adventure

And excitement! So we need leisure and  poesy in a world

Of ugly shells of un-built buildings which dot the horizon!

We all live lives so uninspired that we seek rainbows and

Green glades in a world of honking cars! But alas! Sounds of

Of birdsong fade away in a world so dry!

Alas,  that my muse refuses to meet me so, the smog and

Noise  drive her away from a world devoid of

Leisure and song where rainbows fade away into dust!

I pray to my muse to visit me, promising that I will

Write a poem of rainbows and flowers red, but she tells me

That flowers don’t bloom and rainbows don’t appear in dust and smoke!

In a world where noise ‘n’ engines rule, flowers

Wither and rainbows fade! When people don’t appreciate

Colours so bright, life passes away in shades of grey!

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“Suffer the children to come unto me, and forbid them not”.

The above words taken from the book of Mark-10;13-16, express the essence of today’s sermon as delivered by Revd.Sunil S. Ghazan. The reflection, “we do not choose our children; they are given to us just as other members of our family. Children are generally considered to be innocent and don’t have an image to project, unless we push one on them. they express joy or disappointment readily. Our perception of children has however begun to  undergo a change down the ages. We, as mature adults often expect our children to behave like adults, often scolding them and telling them to behave! The famous line by a famous poet, “child is the father of man” suggests exactly where we have gone wrong! We cannot enforce our ideas on to our children because they bring “intimations” from the Almighty Lord. It is the message that the child brings to us that we should learn to appreciate. The fact that children are still being born proves  that God still has faith in Mankind and is sending children with innocence  to counter the  cruelty on this Earth. Moreover, it is only when we become as children that we can expect to be admitted to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Parenting has to face greater challenges than  before because of the fact that  children have  more exposure to technology and  dissemination of information making them perhaps more informed than their parents. Many a parent will recall being tutored  about the features of a new smart phone by their children! Gone are the days when children obeyed the instructions of their parents unquestioningly. This is not because they are rude or bad in nature, it is just that they want to know why they should not do a particular thing! Parents often don’t have the patience or time to explain the why and the wherefores! The shift from a joint family system to a nuclear family system, the need for both parents to work to supplement the family income, the increasing demands from children for new clothes, a rising cost of living, the need to maintain a good standard of living have all affected the relations that exist between parents and their children. Parents are short tempered and impatient with their children and ready to scold them even for small things!

The book of Mark 10:13-16 describes how some parents brought their children to Jesus so that he could touch them and the disciples  scolded them, and we are told that when Jesus, “saw it, he was much displeased”.  Jesus went on to tell the disciples, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” The supposition is that the Kingdom of God will be open only to one who is, “as a little child”. It  is not great learning, or wisdom, or abilities that entitle you to a membership in the Kingdom of God, rather it is the innocence of a child, and an unquestioning faith that that matter. The lack of prejudice, pre-conceptions, and conceit are the characteristics of childhood. In spite of this parents try to impose their ideas, their failed aspirations, and they set up unrealistic goals before their children. This subjects their relationship to great stress! What, then is the alternative  before parents?

Should parents, then adopt a Laissez-Faire attitude towards their children? The answer is a strict, no, no! It is all about letting the child bloom to the best of his or her abilities by learning to appreciate the individuality of the child. Parenting as such should include spending time with children, guiding them in a tactful manner, reading to them from the scriptures, setting example before them, convincing them to do things in a particular manner, explaining to them why you don’t want them not to do something, and being child-like before them-a tough job, no doubt! The book of Proverbs makes it clear that children have to listen to the instructions of their father, and to follow the commandments of the Scriptures. Proverbs 4:1-5 reads, “ Hear, ye children, the instructions of a father, and attend to know understanding.For I give you good doctrine, forsake not my law. For I was my father’s son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother. He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live. Get wisdom, get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.”

 

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Propaganda Techniques and Consumerism–how are they affecting our lives?

While it is true that in the West, people can always exercise their right to question what is presented to them in the form of products, services, and ideas. Whether this freedom will survive for long is however doubtful! If Democracy  propounds the freedom of thought and the freedom to dissent , conformism however presents a challenge to the very idea of freedom.

In an ever growing consumerist society, propaganda techniques ensure that the tastes and choices of individuals are being moulded or shaped through an external stimulus! Propaganda techniques are very nicely used in the advertisements that we see on T.V. and hear on F.M. radio. Today the viewer is told what to wear, what to eat, what to drive, and what laptops to buy, it has come to a stage where propaganda techniques will soon be used to tell individuals what to think! Propaganda, which may include a variety of communication techniques aims at creating an emotional appeal to accept a particular belief or opinion. Endorsements by famous personalities have a lasting impact on impressionable young minds! The Bandwagon appeal, "everyone is doing it, so should you!" is another of the well known propaganda techniques used to advertise products. Some advertisements play on the fears of the target audience, like for example an insurance advertisement which plays on the fear of a tragic eventuality, loss of the earning family member, or a serious illness.

For all purposes of effective marketing, it is therefore essential that consumers discard their cars, computers, fridges, T.Vs., every now and then so that the market thrives. Today we live in a world where the latest mobile phone you buy becomes obsolete in a matter of few months, and then the advertisements kick in telling you about the exciting new features of a new mobile phone with the latest features!

Our whole life-style is determined by the advertisements we watch on t.v. or the advertisements we read in the newspapers. The rather patronising tone of “Uncle” used by one of the advertisements for a mobile service provider suggests that if you don’t use that particular service provider, then you are an “Uncle” that is, old fashioned. Such propaganda techniques do have an impact on the minds of different people! Take for example, another advertisement where a young adult is shown using a women’s fairness cream, a popular Bollywood Actor accosts him and tells him to use a cream for men, and he presents the embarrassed youth the male version of the fairness cream! Science however questions the efficacy of such creams and their ability to penetrate the skin. The skin, apparently is an efficient organ which does its duty rather well in protecting the body from germs and toxins and the so called Nano particles in beauty creams! Whether wrinkle lift creams and anti-ageing creams really do what advertisements claim is thus highly doubtful!

So  then, is our behaviour being modified by the advertisements that we see? I guess so! Propaganda techniques used by advertisers of different products are backed with extensive research and surveys into the popular trends, aspirations, desires, and secret desires of individuals. It is these secret desires that are subtly targeted by advertising companies! The desire to look fair, the desire to be popular, the desire to be able to be attractive to the opposite sex, the desire to be “cool”, the desire to be idolised by others, these are some of the hidden or rather secret desire that many individuals have, and it is these desires that are exploited by propaganda techniques!

Is it then, good to be entirely open to propaganda, external stimuli, and external suggestion? The answer is no! It is simply not good for the character, it robs us of the ability to make our own choices, it robs us of our individuality, it robs us of our right to self determinism! We are not slaves or automatons, and each one of us has his own perceptions, his own distinct thought processes, and we just cannot allow our children, and our students to be affected by what they see on t.v. or the internet without, at least being able to question the validity of what is being claimed by the advertisement.

What can we do to protect our young ones from becoming victims of this propaganda? First and foremost, we need to ensure that  our children are not watching T.V. serials,  incessantly, especially those serials which are highly addictive. Some serials are intentionally end in a cliff-hanger so that there is an urge to see the next episode! Indiscriminate reading of pulp-fiction which might have limited educational value, and T.V. serials  which cater to the more carnal and morbid emotions can be harmful! Parents should encourage children to engage in more creative activities like painting, playing musical instruments, taking up creative writing, participate in outdoor activities, take up  sports…etc. The development of rational skills, and  the questioning attitude can be promoted through the study of pure science. For all this to happen we need to teach our students and our children not to take everything at face value!

To conclude, therefore, does it make good economics for us as individuals to change our mobile phones every couple of months? Well it means good economics for the manufacturers! Do deodorants and fairness creams make us more acceptable in the society? Will they make us more attractive to the opposite sex? The answers unfortunately is, no! What will really make us more attractive is when we are able to think for ourselves, and show that we can make our own individual choices without being affected by the so called external stimuli! It is what we are, what nature has made us that matters, and not what we are told to do that matters!

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Bubbles

 

 

 

 

Driving down the road, saw I bubbles bright,

As they rose  so magical so fair, I forgot

The heavy thoughts  that filled my mind,

Their magic sheer, gave me cheer ‘n’ joy!

 

I saw with childish glee how some  rose so

High; others in haste, burst too soon!

  Each  stood for  hopes and aspirations

Clothed in rainbows of colours bright!

 

Thus saw I bubbles of colourful dreams,

Of fulfilment and success! But, alas,

Some did burst, signalling the sad ends

Of rash decisions and aspirations quick.

 

However, bubbles are baubles that please us so,

Rising high they  bring smiles to pensive minds.

  Though their lives be short, they grant us

  Joy and pleasure if we stop for them!

 

Bright patterns of rainbows flash in the bright sun,

Inspiration to old and young alike,

Jostling and skidding like children free,

They bring smiles to sere lips!

 

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