GURU-SHISHYA GYAN

In these times,when the student-teacher relationship is increasingly under scrutiny and conflicts of interest seem to govern the classroom,there are still some classrooms that work as oases of understanding,where teachers gain the love and respect of students

The GURU-SHISHYA PARAMPARA: CHANGING times

kavita mehta

Gone are the days when “Guru Shishya Parampara” existed in our country,when the Guru was above God,when the Guru’s words were God’s words,when students had genuine respect for their teachers.

These are clichéd statements we keep hearing and agreeing to. What I keep asking myself is: Do we have the same Gurus,the same Teachers either?

We,as teachers,expect loyalty,truthfulness,respect,obedience from students,but do we find the same knowledge,dedication,sincerity and truthfulness in ourselves?

I personally feel that before blaming the students,we should first evaluate ourselves and seriously contemplate whether we teachers treat teaching just as a profession or a way of life?

Gandhiji had very rightly quoted that a teacher should have such an effect on his students that even in his absence they abide by all his teachings.

We have to set examples and standards,we have to evaluate and treat teaching not merely as a profession,but as a sacred duty and a responsibility of moulding young minds,giving something of our own to the present so that tomorrow’s world is able to envisage a better future.

After teaching for 29 years,when I walk down the memory lane or think about the present times,there are moments when it seems that the parampara still exists.

When a young man suddenly bends to touch my feet at a market place,I wonder — Has the parampara really vanished?

When I commend,congratulate and encourage a so-called notorious student for doing well in my subject by shaking hands with him,he comes back after a little while just to touch my feet,saying this is the most appropriate way of being appreciated for his good work,I wonder.

The Guru Shishya Parampara is one that will never vanish; it has only changed its perspective. Today students require more love,affection,understanding and moral support.

Stretch out your hand,learn to forgive,to give all that you can and should unconditionally to your students and then — just wait and watch.

PGT English

St Marks’ Senior Secondary School,Meera Bagh

Teacher: friend,confidante and counsellor

Gesu Chandra

Gone are the days when students would meekly accept the teacher’s word as in the Gurukul days. Time has seen a transition in these roles. Today,the teacher has become a facilitator,motivator and works with the students He is no longer just a philosopher and guide but has acquired the role of a friend and at times a confidante and counsellor as well. The relationship should be such that the student should not be hesitant to approach the teacher with his problems. The teacher needs to empathise with and understand the student and help him to adjust better. The teacher needs to earn the trust of his student and help the student open up. Only a true guru can subtly lead the child to be constructive,positive,and hardy to face and fight all adversity and excel in life.

An insight into the young minds at different ages is essential — the child’s desire to be appreciated (positive reinforcement),especially the adolescent’s need to win the respect of his peers,which often drives him to build a daredevil reputation for himself. Many a time therefore,it is something of a tug of war — the student trying to needle the teacher to win the admiration of his classmates and the teacher trying to convey the message that he is in control of the situation. It is,however,a mature,impartial teacher who is able to do so,quietly yet firmly with dignity.

To sum it up,a teacher who is able to strike this tricky balance,is a combination of all the attributes that makes all this possible,is the one who is loved,looked up to,and respected by the students. Despite everything,I for one have a lot of faith in my students. Given the right cause,I know they will always rise to meet the situation.

PGT English

St Marks’ Senior Secondary School,Meera Bagh

MUTUAL RESPECT THE CRUX OF LEARNING

Jatin Kukreja

Children have different strategies of learning and achieving their goals. A few students in a classroom will grasp and learn quickly,but at the same time there will be those who have to be repeatedly taught using different techniques for the student to be able to understand the lesson. On the other hand,there are those students who fool around and use the school as entertainment. Teaching then becomes difficult,especially if there is no proper communication. Yet,teachers,creating a positive relationship with their students,will not necessarily control all the disruptive students.

Those teachers who demonstrate respect towards their students,automatically win their favour by having active learners in their classroom. The arrogant or offensive teacher will lack these positive qualities due to his or her lack of control over the children. Teachers should assert that they should also be treated with respect and their responsibilities to ensure that students treat each other with kindness.

Teachers can establish a positive relationship with their students by communicating with them and properly providing feedback to them. Respect between a teacher and student is important for both to feel enthusiastic while learning and teaching. Having established a positive relationship with students will encourage students to seek education and be enthusiastic and attend school. All our favorite teachers had at least in one way or another the qualities I discussed in this essay. Although we are not aware of it during the time we are in school,our teachers’ contribution are well understood later in our lives.

Class X

St Marks’ Senior Secondary School,Meera Bagh

Teachers stand by you through thick and thin

Samarth Garg

It is often said that a teacher is a child’s mother in school. I’ve experienced this thing in my life till now. My teachers always took care of me as if I was their own child.

They always answered my questions,much to the annoyance of my classmates! They also always encouraged me to pursue activities like participating in quizzes to further my love for general knowledge.

Teachers are always the determiners of a child’s success. In my case,they always encouraged me to read books and newspapers. Teachers are also cooperative with enthusiastic students.

When I was down with jaundice just before my annual examinations,that too for a couple of months,our school principal Anjali Aggarwal and other teachers of our school revised the schedule five times so that I could take the exams. When my health did not allow me to do so,they told me I just needed to take the English,Hindi and Maths exams whenever my health allowed to do me so. I’ll always remain indebted to them for the way their cooperation during my illness.

Class X

St Marks’ Senior Secondary School,Meera Bagh

illustration: sudipto sharma