https://www.thenews.com.pk/
Secret life of principals
While all the students listen to the speeches in the assembly, my curious little eyes are on the principal who stands elegantly beside the stage looking eagerly at her talented students. I wonder what she does; every time I stroll past her room, I see her with a pile of papers on one side and a steaming cup of tea on the other, signing documents, attending calls or reading applications. Never have I tried to look into her eyes; she is terrifying. Sometimes, she drops out of the clear blue sky only when there is havoc in the classroom; her room is what scares the bullies; and like president of a country, she has all the authority.
No matter how little interaction we have with our principals, their existence is important to the students. Who doesn't cherish the certificates and trophies they receive from their principals and who would not want to have a photo with them? What we don't realise is that they are accountable and responsible for everything that goes on in their school or college. I never looked at them this way until I got a chance to attend Principals' Conference, organised by Aga Khan Examination Board and Oxford University Press, where principals and coordinators of different schools came together to embrace challenges, to explore possibilities, to spark debates, and to find out how they can join hands to help Pakistan grow.
Blood, toil, tears and sweat
With only seven minutes in his hands, Shahid Badami, the Principal of Ghulaman-e-Abbas School took help of a pictorial slideshow to express how challenging it was to run a school in the 'wild west' of Karachi. With firm belief in the power of education, Shahid Badami and his team are working tirelessly to bring about a change in Lyari. They want to rescue the innocent children from the brutality of gang warfare; they know if they don't do something, those children would end up becoming some ruthless warlords. It must be a nerve-racking task to counsel and persuade financially disadvantaged parents to send their children to school.
As a principal, he realised how important it was to prepare the students for the practical life ahead; keeping in mind the socio-economic background of 1,400 students enrolled, the school also provide them with financial assistance. Shahid Badami's voice didn't falter when he said around 40 percent of school's revenue come from the alumni; his shoulders straightened and he lifted his chin with pride to say that his 'pass-outs are well-settled now'.
Ali Gohar Chang was another principal who came from Sukkur to tell his story of how he and his dedicated supporters restructured a school that was plagued by staff politics and bad governance. To paint the stark picture of the situation of Public School Sukkur in 2012, Mr. Chang showed a video clip in which the principal of the school was locked up in a room and the staff and students chanted 'principal bhag gaya' (principal has run away) outside the classrooms. It was distressing to see children as young as 10 years old holding banners with political hatred scribbled all over them. When the school was on the brink of a downward spiral, it was handed over to IBA Sukkur, and it became IBA Public School Sukkur. The journey was not an easy one: there was resistance to change; land mafia was crippling their backs; there was a considerable drop-out. 'I had to carry a shot gun because I received life threats every day,' Mr. Chang candidly shared this with around 400 principals and senior teachers in the hall.
It was really inspiring to hear him say, 'After only one year, students came to us saying they would not cheat in exams.' Students really cooperate when they are heard; teachers give their best when they are empathised with and helped out.
1000-watts ideas
The principals had a laugh when Nicholas Horsburgh hummed a tune and hopped around the stage to show why we need to do such things for adding more life into the classroom. Yes, that sounds like a great idea! I would seriously love my teachers if they do this. Listening to lectures for hours and doing monotonous classroom tasks can be very suffocating; we all need fresh and lighter air to perform well.
Rahila Ashraf, General Manager, Education at Oxford University Press Pakistan asked the audience if they would allow an untrained plumber to fix their house. Nobody would do that, but then how come we place the future of our country in the hands of inexperienced teachers. Her talk must have provoked some serious thinking as this is what's happening in our part of the world.
As students, we would also agree with Dr Nicki Saroca, a feminist sociologist, when she says, 'when our students step into the job market, they are asked for experience; and that's not fair because our textbooks have failed to prepare them for the practical life'. For an uneducated individual, joblessness may not be as frustrating as it is for an educated one.
Dr Ayesha Mian, a renowned psychiatrist, believes psychologists can be of great help when it comes to dealing with the pressure on the students. They face problems at home, struggle with their studies, and carry an emotional baggage that curbs their spirit. Curing their psychological ailments at this stage is like killing the disease in the bud. When children take home positive messages, they also impact their families and communities.
Reinventing textbooks
There were times when I hated my textbooks. Blend the textbook into a smoothie and drink it or keep it overnight under your pillow to grasp everything were some ridiculous suggestions we gave to each other. The rush to complete the textbook and to treat it as a checklist that has to be finished, make studies even more daunting. So, I love the fact that principals and educationists are actually putting in some serious efforts to improve them. Nicki Saroca suggested that the textbooks should be designed in accordance with students' needs; the textbooks should contain their stories and cultural experiences
Just glance through a couple of textbooks, and you see women doing home chores while men are doctors and pilots. Textbooks should be anti-racist, anti-sexist and apolitical. Seroca made the principals think by saying 'don't we want our boys to be caring like we want our girls to be?'
Would you dare to defy the facts or views mentioned in your textbook? Or have you ever gone to your teacher requesting him/her to increase your score because the answers were exactly from the textbook? Were you ever made to stand outside the class because you had forgotten to bring your textbook. 'Believe me textbook is not an ultimate source; you can't find all the answers in it,' Rahila Ashraf asserts.
Clasping hands
To be a principal of school is not enough; it is not only about personal growth, it is about the growth of the country. Aamna Pasha, Assistant Director, appreciated the diversity and the fact that people from all across country came over to attend this conference. She introduced everyone to a platform called 'principals' network' where principals could pitch ideas, share best practices, and look for solutions. Soon every principal had a flyer in their hands.
Principals' conference '16, where principals patiently listened to the speakers and asked questions like students, concluded on Ameena Saiyid's promising note expressing her belief in the power of education.
Oh, I forgot to mention I saw my school principal, and this time I was not afraid to talk to her.
Coins always make sounds.
But paper money are always silent.
So, when your value increase, keep yourself silent and humble.
Posted by: CME UPDATES <events.updates6@gmail.com>
| Reply via web post | • | Reply to sender | • | Reply to group | • | Start a New Topic | • | Messages in this topic (1) |
You get the information of Medical Conferences, Workshops, Guest Lecture, CME, Awareness Programme and Job Opportunities.
Click below link to join for more updates:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/events_updates/ MEDICAL (MAIN)
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/public_awareness/ COMMUNITY AWARENESS
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/clinical_dentistry/ DENTISTRY
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/otolaryngology_education/ ENT
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/orthopaedics_surgery/ ORTHOPAEDICS
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/paus/ UROLOGY
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/eme_education/ EDUCATION
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/SOSOP/ SURGEONS
FACEBOOK: Join Events Updates (CME) group: (24,000+ (subscribed members) https://www.facebook.com/groups/710385779080272/
Join Community Awareness: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1526118087639297/
WhatsApp: It is mandatory to save this cell number (+92) 0306-0374779 on your cell phone and send WhatsApp message with the word SUBSCRIBE to: (+92) 0306-0374779 Messages are restricted. Being a member your messages will be approved by the Admin.
For more information and advertising and email marketing on Events Updates email to: events.updates6@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment