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When exam kids rule the household

Normal life comes to a halt in many households where a student is appearing for an examination

Just like summer, winter and monsoon, it's the season of exams. Come March and the entire household goes into inert mode with TVs, computers and cell phones switched off. A deathly silence hangs over homes where a candidate is appearing for an exam. There may be just one family member taking the exam but the entire house makes a sacrifice for that person. In this season no wedding wows are exchanged, no birthday candles are blown, shopping malls experience less walk ins and restaurant booking suffers. It is the season for parents to make THE supreme sacrifice.Topping the chart of the sacrificial list are the mothers. They have to do all the chores at home and in their profession, at the same time making sure that the child's studies are not neglected. One such great sacrifice was made my Savitri who says, "I had a very comfortable job with a travel agency but when I attended the PTA of my daughter in Standard IX, I realised that I needed to quit my job to help my daughter come out tops in the exams. Had I not taken the decision my daughter would not have got admission to any prestigious school. This sacrifice is a part of motherhood."

It is not easy to give up your job when you need the financial assistance but nothing seems more important than the education of children, especially as Std. X results are crucial to future plans.

For mothers who take a regular hiatus to their hometowns travel becomes a taboo once the children approach board exams. Once they cross the threshold of Std. X then there is a breathing space and time just flies. But from the day the academic year begins students and teachers, along with parents and counsellors, are at war with books, guides and question banks. Parents sacrifice their leisure activities, dedicating their time to the only cause called the board exams.

Bitter competition

Children shuttle between school and tuition centres. This condition is attributed to the competition at the academic level. There is rivalry among children to top the exam; there is challenge among the parents, which at times has much to do with social status, there is competition among the teachers and school for a space in the news papers and other media where the school would be placed on a pedestal if it does well. Children also sacrifice food and sound sleep while burning the midnight oil. Sacrifices made by the fathers are no less. "My Dad took a three-weeks leave prior to my exam and was quizzing me daily on all the subjects. He was a great help to me in Math, a subject that I dread. I think he made a great effort in the last few days of my preparation," says Meera Mathew. With fathers sitting at home to supervise the studies there is a bigger aura of discipline at home.

"I don't think taking a few days off to assist in the studies is a big sacrifice. These are duties, which we cannot ignore," feels Mathew, Meera's father.

But there are others in the household who are not happy with the house arrest atmosphere in the house. "While my brother was writing his SSLC exams the house resembled a library with pin drop silence. I was not even allowed to watch the cricket matches due to fear of distracting him. But I am very sure whether the TV was switched on or not, his focus was on the Men in Blue. My mother was spending extra hours in the `pooja' room giving the Gods an overtime task. We were all coaxed to visit the temple more often than ever before. Only my brother's favourite food was prepared," whines Rakesh, describing a general scene in households during this season.

Teachers too put in extra hours to see to that the children do their best and the school does not report any failures. The tuition centres buzz with activities of clearing last minute doubts. The counsellors work 24x7 to boost the morale of the students and parents. And as exams finish there is relief for not only the student but also the entire household.

JESSINA ABOOBACKER

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