Teachers Visit And A Question

Can we really make a positive difference in someone’s life?

Today I am not really thinking of becoming a better English teacher or trying to help other confused English teachers but of a lesson of human values, of behaviour and attitude, of repercussions of suffering caused in the classroom and of a crime and punishment or good and reward, which follows us later in life, in this world.

In the year 1980 on a bright sunny morning with a dark and heavy heart mind and soul I just stepped out of the house with the high seriousness of thought

‘Today I will do something …something other than cooking and cleaning and all that housework.’

Determined I started walking with firm steps and steady stride, my head covered with the long and broad “dupatta”lest some male cast an evil eye on me all alone, unprotected girl in the society now famous for “honour killing”. But I was a revolutionary brave daring educationist and I knew what I was looking for. very soon my eyes caught sight of a banner hanging high across the road “Science Foundation school” admissions open’ wow now what’s that? I turned the corner of the road and following the indications of another banner I reached the green gate of the advertised school. I was let in. I have come to see this school’ welcome’ A smartly dressed gentleman smilingly politely welcomed me and started showing me around the rooms. There was a lot of science equipment books furniture charts but NO Students or teachers!!!

‘I want to teach

‘Well send in an application and we will call you for an interview’.

Two weeks later I was given the KG class and I was wholeheartedly enjoying myself teaching A B C…and singing with the children.

My daughter was admitted to the Prep class but everyday she would cry’ I don’t want to go’ This worried me.

My work in KG was highly appreciated and since the school still did not have any Head I was given the additional charge. With this new responsibility I started observing the Prep class. and was horrified to find the teacher nursing her two month old baby in the classroom, while teaching English her pronunciation was not correct , she was adding that extra schwa sound “h a t- hat a” As the Head I called the lady and guided her. A few days later there was some commotion in her class. On investigating I found my daughters face swollen as if she had been slapped, she would not stop crying.’ She does not know her lesson and is not giving the right answers’ well…..did the teacher slap my daughter in revenge of my checking her English? From that day I was extremely cautious lest my own child would suffer more. The teacher’s baby continued to be in the class on special permission by the management.