The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Academic season just bloomed

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Jun 01, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Academic season just bloomed

A pile of bright new carefully pressed uniforms; accessories like ties, badges and belts neatly placed on top; a brand new schoolbag and sparkling crystal clear water bottles; a pair of shining leather shoes - all these novelty items can dry the tears of any child unwilling to return to base. The uniforms look as attractive as the T-shirts and jeans they sported all through summer. The schoolbag conveniently hides all the menacing textbooks that have to be chewed and digested in the coming months. One water bottle contains the favourite lemonade and the other aqua pura. The leather shoes remind the children that they can run and prance around in the school grounds.

Wait... wait for this is not all. There is still more to come. An uncle who had presented a colourful watch is suddenly remembered and the gift can be used during school hours. The sports cycle that Dad promised to give looks alluring in the shop window.

Even then, the school-goers do not seem eager to take the road to school. Worried parents shake their heads remembering the hassles they faced during their adolescence. An overburdened father would scratch his head and promise to pay the school fees `next week' without caring for the consequences of the delay. The shame-faced children visualized his teacher's cane but also understood their father's predicament. It was the mother who always came to their rescue. She broke open her piggy bank, counted all the coins, added these to father's meagre resources and achieved a miracle for her children.

Today's parents were children yesterday and they know that patience is the keyword for success. They accept that today's children have to handle stress levels that are much higher in comparison to that of their times. Therefore they don't like to sermonize or pressurize them unduly for superior performance at school. The students have their own sense of responsibility and know when to pick up the schoolbag and pedal their way to school.

Sure enough, the D-day draws nearer and parents watch with baited breath. Their adolescents are slowly gearing up for the show. The first sign is phone calls to and from juniors, seniors and classmates. Notes are exchanged, opinions shared, cautionary words paraded as the conversation continues to prolong itself.

Before long, the atmosphere at home becomes charged with a lot of nail-biting expectation and never-ending arguments. Parents are finally drawn into the conversation and the lucky ones are consulted. Who runs the best coaching classes? Who explains quantum theory with maximum clarity? Who can teach demand and supply theory with juicy stories and side splitting jokes? Who can train well to anticipate questions in the national level entrance exams?

Opinions may be sought but need not be accepted. Parents heave a sigh of relief as they see their wards square their shoulders and march ahead. One more academic season has bloomed.

RITA NATH KESHARI

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail