Encouragement

It is difficult to realise when you have matured as a teacher, an administrator and as a human being. But the years do work some changes in you.

I was a principal then. I had had my share of bouquets and brickbats, as they say. But I had become calmer, more observant and definitely more tolerant.

The half yearly exams were over. The teachers and I analysed the result threadbare. Highest number of failures, highest scores, students who had the potential to do really well, and of course, students who could bring down the name of the school.

When school re-opened after the winter break, I made it a point to visit all the tenth grade and twelfth grade classes. We discussed about studies and making a time table for revision. We talked about studying difficult subjects when we were fresh and keeping the easier subjects for later. Tips were given on taking mock tests and all were urged to trust themselves and give tests, at home, keeping to the time limit.

One of the tenth grade classes I visited, started off with me asking how many students had passed in all subjects, had failed in one and so on.  When I finally asked the question, ‘Is there anyone who has failed in all five subjects?’; there was absolute silence. Then one girl stood up. 

She hung her head, ashamed of her poor performance and of course, anticipating a lashing from the Principal. Some of the students tittered at the girl, waiting for the bombardment which was sure to follow.

Fortunately, I had become more sensible and sensitive by then.  I just asked the girl, ‘Can you tell me the marks you scored?’

She gave me the answer. She had scored single digit marks in all subjects!

I paused for a moment. Then I gently asked her, ‘Would you like to pass in all the subjects?’

She looked up astonished. Instead of the scolding she had anticipated, she was being asked her opinion!

She nodded her head, too scared to reply.

‘Well, can you try to achieve double digit marks in all five subjects, in the next mock test? I am not asking for a high score or even passing marks. All I want is that you should try to reach a score of ten and above.’

The whole class was stunned into silence and listened with curiosity.  How come the Principal was so calm and quiet? How come the bullets had not started flying?

The girl, now more confident and less scared, raised her head, looked me in the eye and said, “Yes Madam. I will definitely try.’

Well, the days rolled by and the next mock test was conducted.  The exercise of analysis and over-analysis was completed. I went on my rounds of visiting the board class students.

But this time I went to the tenth grade first. The same questions, the answers were listened to and analysed.

Then, I turned to the girl who had failed in all five subjects.

‘Well, is there any progress in your marks, dear?’ I knew the marks she had scored, but I did not want to frighten her by calling out her marks.

This time, she did stand up slowly, but managed to look at me directly.

‘Madam, I passed in one subject, and scored above twenty, in two.’  Then her voice dropped to a whisper, as she said, ‘But I scored only eleven and thirteen in the remaining two subjects.’

I looked around the class. The students were sure that this time, their classmate was not going to escape so easily. They did not titter, but waited with bated breath.

‘That is wonderful. You have crossed the two-digit mark. I am very happy.’

Was I being sarcastic? No, definitely not. I was genuinely happy at the progress the girl had made.

Turning to the other students, I told them, ‘Now calculate the percentage of improvement she has achieved.’

I did not press for an answer. But I could see the relief on the girl’s face. Then, before leaving, I told the class, ‘Clap for this girl. She has progressed more than 200 per cent. I am very proud of her.’

The class wholeheartedly showed their appreciation.

The incident does not end here. One of my Primary class teachers came to speak to me.

‘Madam, thank you for encouraging my niece.’

‘Your niece? Who are you talking about?’

It turned out that the girl who had made so much progress was this teacher’s niece! The girl had gone home and related the whole incident to her family.

I also came to know that the family was facing some serious issues at home. The girl was doing most of the household chores, before coming to school. Her mother was seriously ill.

The girl passed the tenth grade after an extra attempt. By then I had been transferred out. But she will always remain as a very positive experience. Unfortunately, she lost her mother too. But she went on to become a graduate.

As teachers and Principals, we forget the human face behind the students. We get engrossed in analysis of results. We, too, don’t want to be pulled up by our bosses. We fail to see the troubles our students are going through.

But a timely intervention, an encouraging word and achievable targets will push our students to give their best. And, most importantly, they realise there is somebody who has faith in them.

-         Usha Aswath Iyer

Usha has worked as an educator in KendriyaVidyalayas and retired in 2018. She now spends her time in writing, painting and taking care of her plants.

Her collection of short stories was published under the title ‘The Quilt and Other Stories- A Glimpse into the World of Women’ in 2023.