TUESDAY FIELD-NOTES

These are some pointers which I jotted down during the day.

Teacher 1 - 

English teacher. 

Teaching since 2008. 

Bad behaviour means violence, answering back. 

Good behaviour includes - accepting mistakes, studying well, punctuality, sports, responsibility. 

When girls complain of being teased by boys, tells girls to scold them back.

Teacher  2 - 

Taught Science and Maths - 8th, 9th, 10th. 

Being good means 'conducts [his self  or herself], behaves well, respects'. 

Should be 'academic-oriented' "because results is more important". 

Bad students are the one who 'irritate and are naughty'. 

Explicit emphasis on moral and values - How teachers and society expects them to behave? What is expected from them?

 "No one is a teacher's pet" 

Academic merits and Sports are looked for in students to give them 'badges'.

Leadership is looked at  if not good in studies. 

Class leaders are selected on the basis of voting.

Seniors are seen as "guiding forces" - asked to be referred as 'akka' or 'anna'.  

Teacher 3 - 

Teaching for 2 months. 

Had taught underprivileged children before. 

Feels that most the students have a disadvantaged background and hence are 'emotionally disturbed'. 

Does not believe in using the 'stick'. 

English is emphasized by teachers - "Learn and talk in English because otherwise people will make fun of you". 

Huge segregation between boys and girls - in sitting and queuing arrangement. 

Children [only] get 4 period of extra-curriculum.

Find Learning Center relaxing.

Motivating students is common - "You are better than other (richer) children"

Believes that teachers need to "be flexible, but vigilant". 

Feels its wrong to call student 'liars' when they make excuse - empathy and positive words are required. 

Feels school puts [too much] burden on student till 4 pm. 

"Students have to shut up and listen, because if you listen, you are the best student". 

Spoke about a student who answered back - appreciated his boldness for explicitly mentioning that he did not want the class. 

Had to speak and explain to him about the importance of education. 

Trained to be egalitarian and maintain 'teacher-student' relationship - "no child is more important, so no one should come too close". 

Feels Comparing of students happens a lot. 

There is an explicit differentiation between "clever" and "not-clever" students. 

Government and School board are the imperial authorities. 

Students write teachers' names and insults in bathroom. 

Various sorts of punishments given in classes -
 

• student made to draw a circle in middle of class and stand within it for a length of time,

• Cut down snacks

• Hitting with a stick

• Asked to write lines 20-30 times

Method of counseling -

• boys asked to punch bags to vent

• The troublemakers put into one room or corner to sort out the issue

  

Teacher 4 - 

Physical Training teacher. 

Speaks only kannada. 

Honesty is required [in students]. 

Says girls are not allowed to play [much], because parents are not ok. 

Gives no punishment  as " [he] loves children, children love [him]". 

Misbehaviour happens when students are "not doing as told" - given 3 warnings  

More Field Notes coming soon...

- Anupriy