An Educational Interview
For the past three years, Safecity has been conducting workshops in schools creating awareness about Child Sexual Abuse among both children and parents and the rights they have under the POCSO (Prevention of Children from Sexual Offences)Act. This is an interview with one of our partners, an educationist.
Q. What are your views about the present education system in India as an educationist?
A. When we talk about giving every child a quality education it is not restricted to bookish knowledge alone but to an overall education. Children should grow and flourish in every aspect. They should learn to interact with children of other faiths and exchange thoughts and ideas. Through experience they realise that it is not their ideas alone but by working together that they can be more successful.
I have dreamed of creating an ‘enjoyable and healthy environment’ for all children. It isn’t always about mugging up and getting an A grade. We care about the overall development of each child. We ensure every child gets an opportunity to come on stage. Even if they just say one line, it should give them the confidence that nothing is impossible for them. School is a one such platform which isn’t just for education but through which they can sing, dance, take part in dramas and present their talents.
Right now the present education system gives scope to the weaker students but the smart ones become lazy or start slacking. Some of them become overconfident and their performance goes down. This is the fault with the grading system and mass promotion. It just keeps passing everyone and pushing them through to higher classes. Schools need to ensure that their teachers are capable enough to cater to both the smart as well as the weaker children.
Q. Do you think the content or format has changed? If so, is it better or worse?
A. Well, for some subjects like History the content cannot change. But the format for other subjects like English, Maths and Science have definitely become simpler. The textbooks are much easier to comprehend with many graphics and illustrations. Especially for children in the primary section, the books are colourful and interesting which makes studying fun and easy.
Q. Being in charge of the education of more than 900 girls in their formative years, what is your responsibility?
A. I try to ensure that we attend to all our children especially those that face difficulties- not just in studies and learning but also while interacting with other children. If we recognise that they are facing problems in their daily school lives or if problems at home and their personal life are reflecting in their studies, we pay special attention. We have counsellors who help them and by monitoring their behaviour through regular follow-ups we try to get the very best out of our students by making sure they are happy. Every child should get the platform to feel good and get all the help required. We have a screening of students when they are in Standard One. This is a medical, cognitive and behavioural screening. Through occupational therapy we diagnose the child to find out if they have any issues troubling them and counsel them once a week. This also involves motivation and help with the smallest of things like helping a scared child climb the stairs or teaching a child to hold a pen or pencil in the right way. We make sure we are providing the right learning and growing environment even for autistic children.
Q. Do you think the education system is good enough or is a holistic education necessary?
A. I personally feel the education system right now is haphazard and completely confusing. They are advocating mass promotion, so the job of actually providing the right type of education and to ensure learning is left to us. No one is serious about their studies any more. Children do not even take their exams seriously since they need a bare minimum to be promoted to the next class. In spite of this we try to make studies more creative and make education more interesting for them. We don’t just spoon-feed them with information but encourage them to learn through play, games, projects and activities. It is up to the teachers and schools to make education more holistic rather than just creating bookworms.
Q. How does educating girls make a difference in their lives?
A. These girls, these little children, are the future citizens of our country. It is our duty to develop them into independent women through small responsibilities. They become aware about their rights and duties not just from textbooks but simple things like taking messages from one teacher to another teaches them responsibility. They learn how to take care of their books, bags and belongings. We design many co-curricular activities and programmes in which they are given different parts to learn. These activities give them more exposure and help them grow in confidence. We emphasize on an all-round education for them.
Q. Did you find the workshops by Safecity useful for the children and parents? If so, did you notice any change in their behavior?
A. Yes, the workshops have been extremely useful for both the children and parents. The workshops have caused them to be more situationally aware and also receptive to their children. It has taught the children to speak up if they feel uncomfortable. The children came to know the difference between a safe and unsafe touch which is extremely important. The workshops have definitely helped facilitate a change by encouraging the children to speak openly about harassment and abuse due to which we found out a case last year about a child in the Fourth Standard. We enquired into the matter and the case was handled by the police.
Q. How has your experience been working with Safecity?
A. I’ve really enjoyed attending the sessions. They are educative and informative. Since I just got transferred last year I have had the opportunity to learn many new things. These workshops are really crucial for children at this time and age. Ashwini and team were very good and definitely helped in a getting a difficult message across.
Q. Is there anything else you’d like to add?
A. In a school, a teacher plays numerous roles. She has to be a friend to the child; a mother who is loving yet firm. Teachers should be able to understand every child. Though it is not humanly possible to give each child personal attention teachers must make sure that not a single child feels neglected. The children should feel comfortable and happy in school which helps them learn and grow. The teachers should also develop a good rapport with parents in order to cater to the child’s needs.
