Flunked!

Yesterday, the NIOS results were out and my student did not clear all his subjects. He called me up yesterday to tell me that out of the five subjects that he had appeared for, he had cleared three. He sounded a bit stressed but we did not have the time to address any emotions (both our numbers are on roaming) and we only exchanged as much information as possible.

I was, strangely, not upset but calmly listened to him quickly assessing all the options we had left. (For someone who studied like a maniac for all examinations in school/college/ university and would be upset if she would not ‘top’- that is a big deal!) Now, I have been thinking, what about this situation has been working in my favour? Why did I not make frantic calls asking people for solutions and why did I not, even once, blame him and his excess interest in cricket for this inability to clear all his papers? In fact, I ended the conversation congratulating him on clearing three subjects. He asked me if I was sure about what I was saying- I said that I meant it.

I have known my student since 2009 and have watched him grow. He was older than the rest of the students and couldn’t really do well in studies. I knew for sure, that this system- standardized tests and scores did not suit him (like the way it suited me) and we had to find solutions. I was sick of him being labeled different things and more often deeply hurt to the point of being distressed that he was so misunderstood. I didn’t care that his teachers thought he was ‘poor’ in academics, but it upset me when they called him a ‘problem child’. So, yes, the call yesterday and what transpired between the two days has only made us stronger. Because I am a teacher, I know how we can handle this situation. It really is not the end of the world, if we don’t clear a few examinations. I have seen my student’s transformation, over the past one year. His interest in cricket has become stronger along with his interest in learning and having a better future. He moved from the state board to open schooling, completely handling the entire admission process by himself. He needed no reminders. He did not check with me- he only informed me of his plans. The roles were reversed, he gave me information about the system and I just learnt from him.

How can I be worried about a boy who knows how to take care of himself? How can I use the word ‘failure’ for him? No, I won’t- not for him, not for anyone. Not because I am being sensitive, but because I don’t believe in it at all.

In my own journey, both as a teacher and a person, I have learnt how important it is to keep exploring all possible options for those entrusted in your care. Moreover, I have learnt, the power of resource broking. Can you find solutions? Can the child be gently steered into certain directions instead of being coaxed into things the ‘world’ believes are right for us? Can we open a few doors for our children?

While I see the rest of the (my) students struggling to stay in the very system that is designed to keep them out (through high fees, through decontextualized curricula, a rigid and merciless examination system and an even worse result system) I see this particular student, flourishing. Making way into a future that he himself has created.

I am in awe of this little child.

(P.S. Why the title 'flunked'? Because it is a fun, careless slang used for a system that shouldn't be taken too seriously. It's cheeky and I like it!)