CEO'S Speech
Preparing Leaders of Tomorrow to Take Up Challenges of Future
1) Education is aptly defined as something that teaches young people how to
make a life and not merely how to earn a living. If this has to be translated
into reality we ought to have our minds clear on some aspects of learning.
The thoughts that follow aim at highlighting some of the aspects related to
modern day education.
Role as Future Leaders
2) We all are aware that our children are expected to play a major role as
leaders at some point of time in future. But more importantly what we
do need to understand at this juncture is how to equip them to discharge
this role efficiently and effectively. By the time our children step into the
real world, ready to take on the challenges, we would be half way through
the third decade of this century;a time, by which India would have not
only emerged as a strong nation but established itself as one of the world
leaders. The trends of last two decades definitely point in this direction. So
our children will be working in an environment where they would often be
called upon to face critical situations and take bold decisions. Unlike the
earlier generations that were generally led, the future generations would
be expected to lead. And we as parents and teachers need to understand
this and prepare our children to accept these onerous responsibilities.
Having said that, the next question that arises is how do we do it?
Understanding Importance of Joint Responsibility
3) First change we ought to bring about is in our own thought process. To
begin with, we have to accept that education is a joint responsibility
between the parents and the teachers. There is no scope for ‘we’ and ‘you’
divide here. It has to be ‘we’, ‘us’, and ’ours’ when it comes to child’s
education and development. Education is a continuous process that occurs
at all places and at all times. We are all teachers and students rolled into
one. Only the format of teaching and learning changes. Sometimes it is
formal like in the classroom, and at other times it is informal like when
discussing certain issues in the comforts of our drawing room or while
watching a movie in a multiplex. So, besides keeping our own knowledge
level high at all times, we, as parents and teachers must work hand in hand
to ensure that the knowledge base of our children is widened all the times.
Stress and Strain
4) A lot has been said and written about the stress and strain caused by the
modern education system. It is true that all of us like to work and live in
a totally stress-free environment. But can we progress if we do not have
ambition, quest for success, desire to do better, newer heights to scale or
set deadlines to meet? And if we consider these things essential for the
growth, as indeed they are, then there will be some stress. I am afraid;
life devoid of any stress and strain will be as insipid as food without salt
and spices. In their absence we will make very little progress, if at all we
do make any. So let us accept that there will be some stress and strain
occasionally for the children too. Please consider this as the process of
toughening up for the adult life. Yes, of course, we must ensure that
children must be stress free at all times. But a few occasional digressions
should not rankle us. Instead, when the child complains about it we must
comfort him and tell him to ready himself to face more such situations in
adult life when we, parents and teachers are not around to guide or shelter
him. It’s a tough call I know, particularly for the parents, to both, accept
and implement. But do mull over it and consider this as a ‘necessary evil’.
Developing Emotional Stability
5) Children’s likes and dislikes are prone to constant changes. They keep
changing from situation to situation and people to people on daily basis.
Sometimes even hourly basis. This is due to continuous development of
their power to perceive and think that has very little to do with extraneous
factors. We must observe such changes over a longer period of time
before reacting strongly to any situation out of emotions. We must not
be in any hurry to judge and condemn anybody over an incident or an
isolated happening. Developing a high emotional quotient is as important
as developing high intelligence quotient.
Avoiding of Comparisons
6) Child’s growth in various areas is not necessarily uniform in its intensity
or pace. A particular child may show rapid and substantial progress in one
field of learning and not do so well in another, whereas another child may
show diametrically opposite results simultaneously.And yet this situation
may get reversed in a short period. Now if you compare their respective
performances you are bound to draw conclusions that will be detrimental
to development of both such children. Please remember they are two
separate individuals and will therefore grow independent of each other. So
please don’t ever compare them with one another even if they are identical
twins.
Commodification of Education
7) In today’s commercial world there is a tendency to look at education as
a ‘commodity’, a buy and sell entity. It isn’t so! Education is a process
that goes on throughout one’s life and occurs at all places. You pay for
the lessons that you learn, through your sweat and sometimes even your
blood. We call accumulation of such lessons learnt as experience. And
experience cannot be bought. Indeed there is no scope for trading in
money here. So please shun those who treat education as a commodity.
There would be occasions when either parents or teachers would not be
happy or satisfied with the progress of a particular child. The best way to
resolve such issues is by sitting together and finding an effective solution.
There isn’t any other effective way.
Imbibing Right Qualities
8) Inculcating competitive spirit among the children and acquiring a
cutting edge is upper most in the minds of quite a few parents. That is
understandable! A section of the society believes that the ultimate winner
must have killer instinct and a win at all cost attitude. While habit of
winning is the most desirable habit to form, camaraderie, team spirit and
compassion towards fellow human beings are equally important qualities
to possess as well. They too lead to success. The time spent at the school
is the time to acquire all these qualities. That is why we have individual
contests and team competitions that are won and lost in equal measure
by all. At school we teach the children to be magnanimous in victory and
strong in defeat and take both the outcomes in their strides as fair results
while treating defeat as a step towards success. Teachers and parents need
not blame one another for the failure of the child or for that matter indulge
in the game of ‘one-upmanship’.
Conclusion
9) We have an excellent lot of children in our school and they are lucky to
have parents who are supportive all the time. Our teachers too are a
dedicated lot. And I am confident that our children will go on to discharge
their role as leaders of tomorrow with great degree of efficiency and élan
and do us all proud. All that we need to do is work together and show more
understanding of each other’s roles, responsibilities and constraints for the
sake of the child. Therein lies everyone’s happiness.
10) Thank you