Not a long time ago, in a school, a teacher was taking his class. It was another usual day for surprise visit of the principal in their classroom. When principal entered the classroom all students stood up in mark of his respect. Looking at the lean attendance of students, the principal asked the teacher: Why the attendance is so low despite the strict instruction that no student and teacher will remain absent today due to celebrations of the Independence Day.
The teacher in his answer looked blank and said, “Sir, what to say about these students, they are always non serious. They do not listen to us and do not even bother about our instructions. Many times in the past it had happened. We, as a teacher, we always struggle to maintain discipline and for that we have to shout at them. But all in vain, as they are stubborn and do not even respond to any of our guidelines, recommendations and good advices. Whenever we give them any assignments or work to be completed at home, they never finish it on time. If we ask them why they did not finish their assignments in due time, their answers are very irresponsible like forgot to bring the notebook, did not understand, lost the book, friend took my assignment and many more which confuse our brain and become reasons to loose our patience. We are left with no other options except to scold them, shout at them and even use loose words for them. Regardless of these efforts they do not realize their mistakes and their negative impact on their character rather they smile suspiciously at us proving us the foolish persons as if our presence and advice do not mean anything to them. Believe me Sir, these students are not serious, they do not understand, do not care, hence nothing can be done with them except get rid of them by passing them in the final examination.“
Listening to the long statement of the teacher, one student stood up and said, “No Sir, this all said is not true.
This is the only one side of the coin, with your permission, I would like to present the other side of the coin.“ After having the go signal from the principal, the student said, “Sir, we are students and we have come here to learn. Our school gate also displays the same motto 'Come to learn and Go to Serve'. With the same objective everyday we come to school, but till date we have not become learners rather we have become notebooks, which stores the information but does not know how to use it, when it is required.
This is the only one side of the coin, with your permission, I would like to present the other side of the coin.“ After having the go signal from the principal, the student said, “Sir, we are students and we have come here to learn. Our school gate also displays the same motto 'Come to learn and Go to Serve'. With the same objective everyday we come to school, but till date we have not become learners rather we have become notebooks, which stores the information but does not know how to use it, when it is required.
Every day we keep on adding the new information but fail to realise its meaning and its application. If we ask the respected teachers about the same, they always ask us to cram it and say we may not be able to understand at this time. So just cram it and write at it is as we are dictating. Sir, with this attitude we are slowly and steadily loosing interest in the studies and find no reason to attend the classes. Going beyond it we have lost respect for teachers and we do not care about their guidelines, suggestions and advices. We are serious and we know that we hold the future; our request to you is to give us the real education that gives us wisdom, courage and discipline. We assure you sir, you all will be proud of us.“
The principal, for some time kept quiet, and then said, “Today we are celebrating the Independence Day, but your words have forced me to feel that though we have got the freedom, but that is only geographic, we are still slaves of thoughts and framed mind sets. Time has come when we need to breathe selfless and think progressively for the generations so that education can get its real meaning and every student could become a learner.“
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