Teaching with Models
22/12/14
Recently I had an opportunity to witness a function in a local high school. There is a general perception that these schools are very good in comparison to the other schools in the present system because of the discipline, the teacher involvement and student performance. What was apparent from the outset was that the adult (teacher) is a domineering figure and the children (students) are submissive and take orders, but perform all actions with a curious mix of involvement and trepidation. In this function there was also a school administrator who was visiting specially to witness the program being conducted. It was interesting to see the interaction between the teachers with the administrator. The roles had dramatically changed, the teachers now behaved in a style and manner like that of their students towards the administrator, although the administrator himself appeared to interact with the teachers as an adult. Is this mentality of submissiveness ingrained in our psych that we see ourselves as perennial slaves whenever a situation presents itself, perhaps due to the long history of the administrative / governance system we have had? On a day to day level this behavior is perhaps confined to the principal’s chamber or staff room corner, but on festive days this is wide out in the open where the large student body could witness this interaction. Thus, although this aspect of human relation is not formally taught, it is exhibited and learnt by many children (students) as the prescribed behavior, which they are expected to follow when they grow up to adults. Many a learning happens passively, and this includes desirable as well as undesirable behavior. What is the problem with this approach? It makes the adults to forgo their need to think, analyze and take control of the situation, their ability to question dubious processes, looking at the administrative superiors to solve their problems and essentially take responsibility for their jobs. This is not confined only to schools and teachers but is widespread in many organizations, more so in the government. You could say that we are not yet truly liberated from the colonial thinking.
Delectable Debates 