What I learnt from 10TH CBSE STUDENTS
We found that all students of the 10th standard were working harder than their 9th standard.
We understood that the ecosystem around them, school or parents or peers, have impressed upon them that the marks in tenth will shape their future. While we desisted from stressing the students and comparing their marks, we did however schedule a tight timetable with test and retest after every chapter and monitoring the marks. Teachers often discussed their answer papers which in turn made them more conscious about each test because they knew that each and every answer would be discussed with the “why” and “How”. This of course, led to pressure in its own way.
Our belief in systematic and consistent hard work did enhance their confidence and marks but it also pressured the children in its own way. This resulted in some children handling the pressure by simply absenting themselves or finding some reasons not to attend class or exams. When nothing worked, we tried reasoning with them.
We had one o one with the “lagging” students and found that we learnt more than them.
“So why do you don’t want to attend the classes?”
“Mam I really get tired. Study study study- I am tired of the whole thing. I know I know 10th marks decide my fate. But…..”
Looking helpless at not being able to explain the inherent, lack of conviction, one of the most brilliant minds stared at me, seeking reasoning.
We decided to be honest.
“No 10th standard marks DON’T decide your fate. But it is the ticket to the door which will lead you to your goal.”
"So what do you want to do in life"
First day we let them off to chew the cud. Obviously the Grand Middle Section of the class had not even given a thought about it. So we asked all of them to think over it and get back to us.
Few more sessions.
One of the students told, “I want to do mechatronics” We realized that she had indeed collected a lot of info and she was inspired by her cousin who has given a clear career path that she had forged for herself. We decided to use the reverse engineering and asked her subjects she might need to take in her 11th and 12th and what marks she needed to get into that stream. It was suddenly like thousands of bulb lit around. She did her research and found the cut off marks, and started working towards it. Yes, she too is pressured but with a glow in her eyes and we call this pressure- Motivation!
Another session with another child led us to understand that he wants to set up a business and so didn’t see the relevance of science and math till we showed him that highest number of entrepreneurs were technically sound and had some kind of background in science and math.
Now we see the same child studying with a goal and no he doesn’t aim at getting highest marks- just to understand how things work because “you never know which idea can make money”
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