Respected Principals and dear Teachers,
This Sept 5, 2026 may be treated as another Teacher’s Day ( for the record it’s Oct 5, by UNESCO); and Celebrations aside here are some things to ponder over. After all, we all came from the same school systems and the differences if we see them as when Teachers meet an eminent guest the question that comes to mind is, ‘which school did he / she study in?’ indicates that we privately view each one of us as a ‘product’ of our schools! So far, so good.
What triggered this Article – is the Fun Part
For those of us reading, all adults here; the question may be rephrased to, ‘What have you and I given to India ?’ (outside of one’s career responsiblites and raising one’s family). In fact, our greatest contributions may be something we may have taken for granted; and forgotten. (Each, to his capacity; Time permitting).
Present Reality
What do Teachers do on this Day? We know all about senior students being assigned to classes and running the show during the morning half. Then there’s celebrations that may include gratitude speeches followed by some skit, drama and songs all to a time table ending with the National Anthem. But, what do the Teachers themselves do those mornings, during their get-together (apart from keeping an eye out for the ‘unexpected’)? Ii remains one of the best kept secrets from parents but we will leave you a clue (or two).
‘Show me a boy of Seven and I will show you the Man’
Mildly paraphrased from Original, attributed to St Ignatius Loyola
Clue: By Sept 5,the First Term Tests are done and the reports sent to parents. First Term is generally the easy part, the ramp up to the next two Terms; to the advanced chapters and lessons as per Syllabi.
The Reality
From First Term Reports, the dull get filtered out and identified. Additionally, If the student is among the ‘trouble makers’ (noisy, during class, or if a backbencher, gets into ‘fights ‘) then it’s a toxic combo and parents are called to meet with the Headmaster with the severe cases forwarded to the Principal.
In the ‘All Pass’ system we have today, Class III is critical; then Class IX. For Class III, a Principal may call up parents and unless they commit to ‘disciplining and coaching’ their ward; the student may be ‘let go’ to some other ‘special’ school (where available).
In Class IX, parents are not necessarily called. The headmaster may call the student aside and suggest he quietly leave. Perhaps apprentice himself to a trade; join, say a carpenters workshop.
Credits:
IPC Report: https://ipc2021.popconf.org/uploads/210054
Quote Reference: #Jann Weeratunga in ‘kidsbookswithoutborders-dot-com/wordpress-dot-com’
Give me a child until he is seven,
help me change his world
and I will show you the man who can become
anything he wants to be ., to achieve his wishes
– Jan Weeratunga
