Editor,
Apropos the article by Dushyant Wadhwan captioned, ‘Hikai -a headache for teachers’ (ST July 12, 2021), I am a teacher and also a parent working in Ramakrishna Mission Secondary School, Sohbar. The writer should stop acting as if he is the mouthpiece for RKM teachers or parents with his personal opinion about the Ramakrishna Mission Schools or the HIKAI app. It was especially disgusting to note that while the writer flaunts a rich man’s charity in helping the helpless widow’s daughter upload her assignments, he also feels sorry for us teachers who help our own students to do so even though we are paid for it. Give us the opportunity of being of service to our children without a patronizing tone. And how on the earth do we understand the extra expenses she has to incur in uploading assignments when our children are able to manage with existing upload limits in our mobiles? HIKAI videos can be preloaded on any device without the internet. Even these videos assigned as per daily timetable do not take much space. Do we have to presume that his son’s gaming download is affecting the maid’s children and not the HIKAI? HIKAI is a poor man’s saviour and not the other way round.
And whosoever is feeding wrong and tempered information is really committing a crime. It is alleged that HIKAI was thrust on us without any preparation. This is far from the truth. If there is any slack in its implementation, we are all equally responsible, if not more, in taking time to adapt to a new method of teaching. It is basic human nature to run on old groves than to struggle to create new ones. But what we could achieve with all our limitations is a matter of pride, not a headache. We are among a chosen few schools that could function during the pandemic, and to complete more than 40% of our syllabus, conducted exams, and published results. Just allow us more time, and we may be complaining when you ask us to go back to the old ways.
Not only us, it is amazing also to hear online lexicon being used by children of these interior villages (Sohbar is 25 kms from Sohra towards the Bangladesh Border). There are days together when we are cut off from the rest of the world because of no internet. And suddenly, we are introduced to HIKAI that still works, internet or no internet. Yes, my children will tell you they can upload their assignments or watch videos even if they are unable to use their mobiles for other purposes because of a modem in our School. This is the intranet WIFI zone they are aware of thanks to the Mission for installing a WIFI tower. They are also conversant on how to convert files, reduce sizes and all online nuisances. In a way our children received an additional skill thanks to HIKAI.
Do you know how much training and support we received before saying “its implementation leaves much to be desired” to create confusion? We are always initiated in any activity, new or old, by our management by conducting orientation training to at least one program coordinator. I should say use the word ‘they host’ instead of ‘train’ as we are provided transportation even during the pandemic, good lunch, tea, etc. along with the training. The Head Teachers also get oriented separately about these initiatives. For HIKAI, additionally, a single point of help specific to each school is created by the Mission to address day-to-day problems. All our schools are well equipped to handle HIKAI and also train students and their parents during the pandemic. Some schools and teachers take these seriously and some do not and land up burning midnight candles to complete their targets. They should work sincerely instead of propping up this issue in the newspaper.
And who is Dushyant Wadhwan to cast aspersions on teachers when he questions whether the assignments are checked or only 80% statistics? Perhaps the writer is content with the lot of government schools which are now being instructed to start preparing the study materials for students. Or is it worth appreciating that the RKM schools are already using video lectures and notes and setting pace for the rest to follow. It is better to wear out than to rust out.
Yours etc.,
H Kynsai Tangdhara
RKM, Sohbar
II
Editor,
I would like to bring to your kind notice the positive development that has been taking place in the state since the last few months especially in the field of education, by those who have taken this persistent problem as an opportunity. As parents, teachers and all right thinking citizens from cross sections of society are worried about the future of our young minds due to the severe impact of the pandemic, Ramakrishna Mission has introduced a new and effective online portal named HIKAI (Hybrid Interactive Knowledge Assimilation Initiative), thereby giving huge relief to students and teachers of the schools affiliated with MBOSE. Through HIKAI, the processes of teaching and learning are brought back to life and both teachers and students are back on the right track. It gave a huge relief to parents as their children can have access to it without spending extra money. More interestingly, is that, this free online portal which has been planned in accordance with the MBOSE syllabus, is not meant only for the students of all RKM schools, but students of different schools as well have access to it provided they register online for free. It is learnt that the response is very positive and students from different schools of the state and even from other states of India have registered. This is a success story of education. Hence, HIKAI is Ramakrishna Mission’s free gift in the field of education which is beyond anybody’s expectation or imagination. However, it is painful to see that instead of appreciating this selfless effort contributed by RKM , certain lobbies find it hard to digest the fact.
Furthermore, what is most shocking is that some persons with certain motives use the media to tarnish the image of Ramakrishna Mission on the basis of false and unfounded allegations which is devoid of even an iota of truth. This is nothing new, since there are few with crooked mind and ill feelings towards others for reasons best known to them. They are ungrateful beings who do not want to know the truth nor allow others to do so. Inspite of various social services that the Mission had been doing in helping the poor, the downtrodden and the neglected sections of society of different communities for many years, be it – health care, providing food materials during this pandemic on a massive scale across the state the Mission is not appreciated. This is a clear manifestation of their absolute ignorance.
Whatever be the case, we (teachers of RKM) aren’t perturbed or distracted by such lobbies who have been trying hard to mislead others just because they cannot lead themselves. We are at our own stations as appointed, always ready to help the students through various means in case of any distress without causing any extra burden on parents. We will march ahead to carry on the legacy of Ramakrishna Mission (RKM), the Mission with a vision. As Swami Vivekananda once said, “If the poor cannot go to education, let education go to them”.
May good sense prevail upon each and every one, even the lobbies too.
Yours etc.,
H. Isslowell Khongsit.
Assistant Teacher
RKM School, Sohbar.
Editor replies: The Shillong Times is committed to providing a platform for all voices including dissenting voices. Not everyone will agree with everything that is done even with the best of intentions. Instead of berating the dissenters the RKM would do well to explain the benefits of the HIKAI App.