“The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn …and change”, so stated American psychologist Carl Rogers and today more than ever the aim of educationists is to teach students how to learn, while adapting to the ‘new normal’.
I joined the school in the most unique and unprecedented times, which is when the entire world was under a lockdown. However, though the gates of schools were shut, the process of teaching and learning definitely was not and therefore we too, the management and staff of the Asian School are trying our best to take learning to the homes of students and now the classrooms.
Our mantra is to use the three Rs of education, which are Reading, Writing and Arithmetic as our touchstones and redefine our approach with three new Rs, which are Rethink, Realign and Redesign. This is not just fancy jargon but what the teachers are actually putting into practice on a daily basis.
None of us are experts but we are all in this together – you as parents, us as the educators and the most precious of all – our students.
As adults, I understand, that the parents too are facing innumerable challenges and uncertainties, but it’s the children really, who are the worst hit. Not only do they have to deal with the consequences of what their parents might be experiencing but fighting internal battles of their own, with the world having turned upside down in a matter of months.
Children have to be supported by both the school and the parents, while at the same time be gently supervised, monitored and encouraged so that their academics and school life in general, gets back on track.
Parents and schools have to work as a team so that ultimately, it’s the children who emerge victorious.
Life is gradually getting back to some semblance of normalcy and we hope and pray that the worst is behind us and that we may march ahead on the path of teaching and learning, unhindered.
Take care and stay safe.
God Bless.
Ruchi Pradhan Datta
