Education post-Covid, a great challenge for students

PC THOMAS

Coronavirus pandemic has influenced a huge number of young students all over the world and India is no exemption to this. All educational institutions are now wrestling with the consequences and are desperately looking for solutions for the difficulties faced by the pandemic.

When the lockdown was declared, schools, which had already incorporated E-learning platforms, could grasp the change rapidly and adjust to the new circumstance. They are connected with the students and parents through the E-learning modules and guaranteed adaptive learning process. For schools, the major challenge was to ensure acceptance of the new normal by the parents and the students. In the whole process, there have been challenges and issues; yet the parents accepted the change. Numerous parents have opted to become co-learners to facilitate the e-learning acquaintance among their children.

Also read- When the student is ready teacher will appear

The present pandemic circumstance has upset the whole educational framework, requiring revamp of the whole educational curriculum. When one looks at the current situation, it would appear that this situation may stay for quite a long time. It is admirable, however, that different government bodies and educationalists across the country are moving in the direction of discovering available resources to assist students to keep on their learning cycle while they are safe and secure at home.

In this COVID-19 time, the clear focus of educational institutions will be on modernizing technology and capacity building to provide a profound learning experience online. While each person and organization enthusiastically looks forward to the situation to normalize, it is significant for the schools to continue the learning process smoothly. Digital learning is the way forward as a significant aspect of the education system and it is time to accelerate the usage of technical tools to ensure proper delivery of lessons. For this, at least every student must have access to high-speed internet, even those who are living in isolated areas. For students who are not sufficiently equipped with basic technological tools and skills, watching pre-recorded remote learning classes will be baffling as well as frustrating.

Also read: Will schools be reopened on... 

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However, the current situation has given an open-door for the digital transformation of the education framework and the future will witness not only virtual classrooms but also parent-teacher interactions on virtual platforms. As the community of educationists pushes forward adjusting to the new normal, there will be some difficulties that they have to face.

A more urgent need is to address the mental health issues emerging from this pandemic among students and prepare them to grasp the new situation and provide them care, sympathy, appreciation, and resilience that are necessary to face the future.

Also read- poor forced to sell resource..

Looking at the above points, schools and educationists today need to make an effort to reduce the negative impact of the current scenario on the young minds. It is time for them to renew the system while adjusting to the new normal.  They also have to explore other practical alternatives to continue with the delivery of education in order to remain relevant and prepare the students for the future.

This article published in Metro Vaartha on 29.9.20

 

Searching suicidal behavior in children and adolescents

PC THOMAS

 Covid-19 has triggered more suicides in India. As per recent media reports, 28 people including 15 men, 9 women, one male youth, and three girls have ended lives by suicide in Chandigarh since the imposition of the countrywide lockdown and its following unlocking. It was also reported that 66 teenagers under the age of 18 have committed suicide in Kerala during lockdown. Suicides are rampant everywhere, as anxiety levels are very high in most cases.

Bollywood star Sushant Singh Rajput life ended in suicide which rocked Indian film industry. In Delhi, TikTok influencer Siya Kakkar, who enjoyed celebrity status with over 1.1 million followers on TikTok died by suicide. Another TikTok teen star ended life by suicide due to depression. These incidents help us understand that every suicide is tragic and is recognized as a public health or social issue in almost every country and it needs to be addressed.

Psychological issues in children are also on the rise.  Every year after the Board exams, we hear about students who are ending their lives because they feel they are unable to live up to the expectation of their families.  Many parents believe, the marks scored determine admission in educational institutions and failure to secure high enough marks, adversely affects their children’s career prospects.

Lockdown triggered emotional strain among children as they are not getting to close together with their peers at school which remain closed in the wake of the pandemic. Besides, there may be declining interest in friends, activities, or hobbies previously enjoyed, domestic issues, lack of parental concern, poor communication between parents and child, parent’s improper way of dealing with the errors committed, that pave the way in spiking the number of suicides among children.  And for elders, reasons for ending their lives may be unemployment, life insecurity, failures, distress, extra marital affairs and so on.

Also Read- Keep mental health while social distancing

 However, while searching common causes of suicide, a few things are definitely clear and need minimum explanation. All suicides are a weep for help. It is when people are most vulnerable that they attempt an act which could be named as outrageously heroic. All suicides are mostly planned and well-contemplated as well as connected to a reason that remains unexplained in most cases. There can’t be a fixed reason rather there are a number of factors that contribute to the fatal act.

In each case of suicide, normally people accuse one person over somebody but do not find time to reflect back and address the problem in a more transparent manner. Why is mental imbalance still a taboo in our society? Why depression, which could be indicative of suicidal behavior, is not taken seriously? And lastly, why caste, gender, social status or popularity are the criteria for labelling or judging someone’s suicide?.

Also Read: Hoping for the best amid pandemic

What we are currently encountering with the Covid-19 pandemic is unusual in late memory. There is a major crisis everywhere, professionally and emotionally. People need a place of safety from their distress. Conveying compassion in the time of emotional crisis is essential. Negativity being spread through the sources of communication is a common cause of conflict between a parent and teenagers therefore parents or guardians should take care of their children. While for many of us the reasons of suicide might often seem meaningless or absurd, there is a small section of people who would defend to deal with it and have both fought it and yield to it. For everyone, it is time to realize that life is not about ending, it is about moving forward.

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What to do When Corona Climbs Mt. Everest?

PC THOMAS

We are marching towards more than sixth month of the coronavirus induced lockdown and there seems to be no breather from the highly infectious contagion which is devastating the world. The crisis appears to be unfolding in India in the worst manner than we could have expected. As of September 22, the alarming number of COVID cases worldwide has crossed the 30-million mark and has resulted in 9,71,879 deaths.

Having dealt with social isolation in India, people keep wondering and thinking when we will able to live a normal life? The pandemic shattered the economy, corporate or the everyday economics. It wreaked people with pain of less work, of not going out or exploring new things, but it bridged that void between relationships.

While scientists and medical experts around the world have been working at a breakneck pace to launch a vaccine to control the spread of COVID-19, there is one question that everyone has that how will the pandemic end? While the official caseload has crossed the five million mark, medical experts suggest that the pandemic will touch its peak at different marks in different regions of the country. Therefore, our reaction to the pandemic has to be more localized and effective, to get rid of the pandemic from the root level.

Although the COVID time affects our emotions, memories, feelings and perspectives, it should help us to transform our vision of life for the better and to develop our character. A crisis like this teaches us lessons we would not learn when things are pleasant. We are the sum of the experiences that we come across as we go through life. As human beings, when we encounter a challenge, we have liberty on how to respond to it.

Also Read - How do we prepare ourselves against Covid pandemic?

This pandemic has taught us many things if we can introspect. Different people must have got different realization. The time is ripe to reconsider and rethink our lifestyles and our approach towards social unity. We must tighten protocols and work in unison to build a COVID free society. Cleanliness of surroundings in general and personal hygiene in particular should now be prioritized. We must extend a serving hand without anticipation of a reward. We can help those in need and be ready to help and take help when needed. Let us realize that humans are made out of love and let this love be around. Let us imbibe and reflect love.

Also Read: when-will-we-go-back-to-normal-life

In these difficult times we see many torch-bearers who are risking their lives to protect others – Doctors, nurses and police forces are the epitome of human values in this crisis. Keeping our helplessness in view, we must all surrender before the Almighty’s Power. As we move ahead on the pathway of humankind, things will roll in our favour, pleasing the creator. If we are at peace within ourselves and at peace with the nature we will certainly dispose of this virus. All of us are tense and stressed. We must turn to Almighty. Stay updated with the Best Blog PC Thomas

 

 

 

Hoping for the best amid pandemic

 PC THOMAS

Coronavirus has apparently created massive financial disproportions in humans from all walks of life. What is even more worried is the striking reality that many lives are falling into poverty, particularly from the lower middle class that includes skilled labours, hawkers and workers. With the earning hands shifted to jobless or endured pay cuts, many families are finding it hard to cope with things in their life, which ultimately affected the education of their children.  

Recently, media reported a Class-X student of Indore allegedly ended his life as he had no means to pay his outstanding fees which was forcefully demanded by his school authorities. In another report, a man who was rendered jobless due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown, hanged himself at Kanpur in UP. In July, media reported, children in about 62% households discontinued their education amid the Covid-19 outbreak. Suicide Cases during Corona Lockdown in India are many.

Numerous reports also came to light showing that many parents are very much hard-pressed to maintain the education of their children due to their job loss. Many unaided parents have been forced to sell their valuable resources for buying the gadgets for the virtual education of their children, driving them further into poverty.  

Also Read: Stay Positive in Negative situation

Obviously, the pandemic crisis has led to a massive spike in the unemployment rate of the country. A latest report of the CMIE revealed worrisome data, which says more than 1.8-Cr salaried employees lost their jobs in India since April, followed by one lakh job losses in May.  

As a result, education is mainly undergoing a severe predicament at the moment. Presumably, schools and college campuses will be shut through 2020 due to an increasing number of COVID cases. In the midst, the shift of classroom experience to virtual platform has highlighted digital disparities, exposing vast tracts with internet connectivity problems. Parents find it difficult to pay for laptops, iPads, smart-phones or the data packs for their children to log into online classes.

While everybody suffers differently, it is of serious concern, how can common people or unemployed parents survive? When and how the economy will recover?  As far as school authorities are concerned, how can they ensure the security and wellbeing of students, teachers and staff? How do they discipline students? How can they protect teachers? How do they revamp classroom experiences? Can parents afford to pay school fees without job? Can institutions afford to pay teachers without students?   There are many unanswered questions.

Also Read: Corona crisis and coronation of our lives

The crisis has revealed that hoping for the best does not help us. On the other hand, we must plan for the worst and hope for the best. The time is ripe that governments should vehemently address this issue – Save our souls and save our States is the weep of people. All state Governments must prioritize the most deprived children and their families through significant social protection schemes including child benefits, remote learning opportunities, healthcare services and generate more and better quality jobs for people to survive. It is also significant that each State and districts have a plan for how to ensure that the pandemic does not derail the aspirations and achievements of this generation of students.

 

When the student is ready, the teacher will appear!

PC THOMAS

In this age of rather pronounced nationalism, one may say that all cultural and value-based things originated from India. Teachers’ Day is one such exclusive example that it’s solemnly observed on September 5, the day Dr. S Radhakrishnan was born. A teacher par excellence, Dr.Radhakrishnan was a great thinker of India and an ideal teacher.  He encouraged education in letter and spirit. The teaching profession was his primary love and those who studied under him still remember with gratitude to his great qualities as a teacher.

Education is the single means for development in this world of breakneck competition, where teaching is a dignified profession which supports the backbone of leaning.  A teacher is an architect of a nation, or rather civilization. A philosopher said, everyone who remembers his own education remembers teachers, not methods and techniques. The love and reverence we provide our parents is habitual, but a teacher has to earn our love and esteem.

Unfortunately, on account of this Coronavirus pandemic, we have seen an enormous interruption in the typical arrangement of our teaching. Social relationships appear to be undergoing a quick changeover from a close-knit and interweaved social texture to a confined, divided and self-driven style of living.  Mutual relations are perpetually getting overpowered by the rampant use of social media and electronic devices leaving little degree for physical connections, sharing, mindful and complementary exchanges.

In this time of pandemic-driven social life, it is thoughtful upon the role of teachers in a world that is getting increasingly complex and capricious.  The schools are closed, no classes and physical activities can be held, and no tests masterminded. Alternatively, the teaching platform turned to be online, and students deplorably missed direct interaction with their teachers and fellow students. Zooming is the new catchphrase and remote classes are new normal. Dr.Radhakrishnan might not have imagined that such a thing would happen to the world.

According to Dr.Radhakrishnan, education should not merely give us some techniques so that we lead successful lives, but should also help us discover everlasting values. Therefore, be ready students! Let us follow the maxim: 'When the student is ready, the teacher will appear’, implying that when a student acknowledges that he is want of knowledge and desires to acquire it, he will open his mind to his teacher who is willing to give it.  The current pandemic crisis will go away. The new dawn will be coming, and all teachers will be ever-ready to enlighten students with new way of learning in letter and spirit. On this Teacher’s day, let us acknowledge, if knowledge is the LIGHT then teachers are the Guiding Stars that give us light. Happy Teacher’s Day! Read more of PC Thomas_article