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... 

https://bestblogpcthomas.blogspot.com/2020/08/will-schools-be-reopened-on-september-1.html

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

 

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

Stop comparing your child with Damor-ka Beta or Pinky-ki Ladki

PC  THOMAS

With the CBSE Class-12 and Class-10 results have been declared and students have begun steering up for a decisive phase of their lives. For Class-10 students, the results decide as to which stream they choose further and it is one of the significant milestones for their life. For Class-12 students, it is all about getting into the right institution and face competition. And those who fail to perform in exams, they have to take further chances to improve and recover.

Nowadays, an increasing sense of competition has attacked the mind of children, parents the relationships and society at large. Some parents think that the marks obtained are of the barometer to judge their children’s life and future. At the same time, children’s natural ability, skills and innovation usually take a backseat.  

Once the results are out, parents generally start comparing their children’s marks with those of others. They say to their child –“Look at Damor-bhayya ka beta, or Pinky-didi ki ladki”.  You have scored only 88-percent marks, while the others have scored 98-percent. They have not given tuition for their child, their life situation is too meager.  At the same, we give you full luxuries and amenities – If you are a parent like this, you are fully spoiling the life of your child!

It has been seen that insufficient marks in exams push students towards depression leading to even suicide in this cyber age. If your child gets high marks, that is great! But if the child doesn’t, don’t take away their self-confidence and dignity from them. Appreciate the effort, even if your child secures 2 marks more than the previous test. Tell them that they have ample room for inventiveness. This builds confidence in them.

Some parents feel pride that they have made their kid’s admission in prestigious and costly schools. Obtaining good education is a privilege of the children, and it is the obligation of the parents to train them accordingly. Parents ought to comprehend that the primary objective of the best instruction is to make capable and independent people and not qualify them for securing an occupation and earn money.

Parents should also keep in mind that every child is unique and special from the other. Each one has its own set of special talents and strengths. As the children are the most important in their life, parents must focus all their attention on them and do whatever they can to make sure that they do well as per their merit and potentials. Let the children opt for their own careers.

Cut-throat competition usually leads to depression among students and as a result, they fail to justify the expectations of their parents. The parents should take out more time to understand and encourage their kids instead of comparing them with peers and classmates. School can assure students that examination marks are not the only benchmark to decide their future. - askpcthomas@gmail.com

This article published in Metro Vaartha on 18.7.2020