By R Lyngdoh
It is really a time of crisis for all. Be it the virus affecting our immediately families, the loss of near and dear ones, the isolation we have to go through, the turmoil of front-liners, the struggles of many to look for their next meal, the worries of the daily wage labourers, the agonies of the business person – these are all gnawing pains. Then there’s the frustration of labour loss, the growl of empty stomachs, the wails of hungry mouths, the exhaustion of the learners and the torture of the educators. I may have missed out on other points but this is how the pandemic has afflicted many. In spite of the sinking ship (as the meme circulating on social media depicts), the teachers are still orchestrating the choir amidst the storm.
It is depressing to note that some of the elite schools in Shillong are insisting that the school environment be transferred to the homes of students. School students are required to follow the school routine at home, donning their school attire only to prove to the school authorities, their sincerity and punctuality, which digitally can be very misleading. Stuck to their electronic gadgets for the major part of the day, we are still expected to wean them off the gadgets and apply the tenets of ‘go out and play’, as if on cue and is if they can switch on and off like robots. One may take the school to the homes, but one cannot make the home a school.
The amount of work that teachers are expected to do from home, while multitasking with household chores, tending to their children and aged parents needs is a tough call. Add to that the problem of arranging for digital technology despite the lack of resources, and we have an insensitive system in place. The teacher by and large is an epitome of dedication, sincerity and punctuality. This is a time-bound profession that requires respect before order. The school authorities are so hell bent on finishing the curriculum that sometimes it makes me wonder whether education is imparted or forced upon students. Are the students learning or only gaining knowledge? Are kids becoming knowledgeable or wise?
Majority of us are trying to survive but we are expected to be punctual to the calls of the school authorities else our children forfeit their attendance for the day. And let us accept that many families are not financially well-off to be able to provide a good quality gadget to each of their off-springs. No doubt, our children are superb in picking up a book or a newspaper and reading through without any glitch in their grammar and pronunciation, fluent in their digital know-how, and dextrous with their snazzy response to every comment and updates in their media profiles, but when it comes to their basic needs, they are naïve and need a lot of adult supervision. The skills of survival are unheard of or unthinkable to them. And no, everything is not as simple as making the 2-minute Maggie noodles. For many parents, this is the golden opportunity to teach their kids the basic necessities and basic life skills that life itself beckons us to learn.
The government, on its part is instrumental in facilitating the imparting of knowledge which is evident in policy- making. It would be nice if the government could provide the infrastructure, prepare the battlefield and then call on the foot soldiers. A case in point is, when rumours about a lockdown was heard on social media platforms, students from rural areas flocked to the urban areas for fear of lack of accessibility in case of online classes or exams. Education is kind only to the affluent. The pandemic has brought that up close and personal.
It is understood that Covid is an unprecedented crisis of our lifetime and it is rather difficult for the government to handle such a situation, let alone be prepared for it. Here I am referring to our respected Education Minister and the policies being implemented incrementally. I guess, taking into account the plight of the general public, would be the first step in policy-making and also decision-making. Introducing the coronavirus into the school curriculum is fine but couldn’t it wait till a cure is found or till the vitals are clarified, so as to equip the teachers with the resources to handle this topic after all doubts and confusions are cleared?
‘Humanity’ should be given more importance and due attention, as it is what is called for at this point. Humanity cannot be taught; it cannot be learned but it can only be replicated and exemplified from those who practice this virtue.
Humanity should guide the future generation. Let’s give it a wise thought.
