5th September 2015, the day started with a buzz on my mobile. Shagun, a student of mine had sent a lovely message. Thanking me for the efforts put in order to enhance her knowledge and skills. A quick glimpse of 2007 flashed in my memory, recalling the classes and the students I taught along with Shagun.
I remembered my first day as a School Teacher at Hyderabad way back in 1999. My first set of students who enjoyed talking and sharing their miseries with me. The games that I learned by playing along with them. How can I forget those days? My students were my real time teachers, who made me learn the new thing every day through my experiences. Though I was strong in my knowledge but my students taught me that ignorance can't be bliss, to gain knowledge same practice of teaching with every buddy can fail. They taught me, how the needs of the students’ community differ, etc.
My students’ community, whom I consider as my mentor, still remembers those names: Neeraj, Girish, Ramakrishna, Bindupriya. The list is enormous and the things that I have learned from them are priceless. They made me a better person, a teacher, and a trainer.
My 16 years of experience into teaching and training was always delightful. I believe the challenges that I have encountered by being in this professional kept me on my toes always. It helped me to endure patience, the art of empathizing and listening to others patiently.
Instead of counting the bounties, let me pen down today my dream as a Teacher. I represent that state of India from where the world embraced wisdom, peace, and meditation. But today, when I move across in the interior regions of this state i.e. Bihar, my heart laments viewing at the situation of the schools. I believe that the knowledge imparted by the teachers to their students should help them to stand strong, steadfast even in difficult situations. It should teach the students to learn the art of leading life as a successful human being.
The dedication shown by the teachers compared to yesteryears and present day will prove that as teachers we are only imparting syllabus that is to be covered for the examinations or to get graded for. The true education is missing from present day schools. It can be any school be reputed or a newly established one. The significance of school teaching is dwindling.
The question is, whom do we blame? Is it the education system, the board or the society?
Well, even I don’t have an appropriate answer for this question but certainly I will blame myself as a Teacher. I need to do justice to my students who firmly believe in the knowledge that I impart to them, will certainly help in caricaturing better future.
I recall the journey from 2011 to 2013, to over 100 odd schools in Bihar in over 8 districts, it made me realize that the methodology that is applied by government schools is outdated and the private or trust governed schools are more into making money and strengthening their financial position in the society.
I met the Principals of few good schools. They were on the same page. They knew the drawback of their school but still their arms were tied and lips stitched by the management of the school. They agreed to the point that Schools in Bihar, particularly the well-established and renowned ones were into the education business.
The quota pertained to Economically Weaker Section is only meant on the records. Religiously, very few school management thinks of reaching and catering to the needy people.
The month of May 2012, in the district of Begusarai, I still recall my visit to a government school. The condition of the school building was dilapidated yet the zeal of the teacher to teach was so high, even in the worst situation, he managed to conduct his class of 48 students under one single roof head. The students were of different grades. They were engaged into different subjects by the same teacher. He went on hopping from one group to the other, teaching them their portion of the subject that was to be taught for that day.
After five hours of struggle with a single break of 15 minutes, the teacher was low at his physical energy but nowhere there was an ounce reduction in his passion. I was shocked to see that after the tiring teaching session, he had to help his wife in serving the mid-day meal which is offered to every student on school working days. There was no one to assist him except his wife.
And this was not the case with only one school. I witnessed this in many schools where the teachers were really dedicated and were toiling hard to make the future of their students better.
These teachers have inspired me and have put a dream in my open eyes, to serve those who need the service utmost.
I wish to open a School in the remote areas of Bihar with all latest equipment and technology. Where knowledge will be free, and where education will not be just a source of earning huge return on investment.
A school where students will learn by doing, they will get education for better life and to form a better society. I don’t know, when this dream of mine will come true but the support that I have from my students, will always motivate me to work hard and put my best foot forward every day with the goal of setting ‘THE SCHOOL’.
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