Today Whatever is taught in Schools, Colleges and Universities come under education, but in the word of Emerson, these are simply “the means of education”. MR.K.K.GUPTA-Retired Principal and Regional Academic Head, AEC Schools, Tarapur district: Thane shares with MENTOR his views on allowing children to grow.

Had acquisition of the dry bones of knowledge, scoring of hundred out of hundred by rote memory, attainment of degrees with distinction and acquiring of status in terms of post and position, much to do with education, great persons of the world like Tagore, Surdas, valmiki, Shakespeare, Thomas Alva Edison, Froebel and others would not have come to limelight.

Their contribution to the field of art, literature, music, electricity and education will ever remain green in the minds of one and all. Froebel, the seventh child of his parents who could not read due to poverty and family problems, rose to be the father of Kindergarten. Edison who was withdrawn from the school, contributed to electricity for the world. Shakespeare who read up to class 9 rose to prominence for his valuable contribution to literature. It is really difficult to catalogue all such people who without being tutored could give a lot to the world. Most of the children today acquire more than their age, aspire for more than what they are meant for, speak things which our forefathers might not have imagined, conceived and comprehended and at times some of the children behave in such an elderly manner that even octogenarians feel small before them. Children who are known for their imitating propensity keep themselves so much tuned to the TV serials that they start copying instead of playing their own roles. Parents also have no option left but to yield to what is being done in the name of advancement. Not only this, such patents are all out to equip their children to acquire degrees at any cost, Expectations of parents in this competitive age reign supreme. They are least worried about age, ability and aptitude.

Consequently, things are going off the rails. Mental, physical and social disorders can be perceived anywhere in the children of any age group. Maturity level of children is mounting so high that if steps are not taken in time to monitor and channelize the expectations and aspirations of parents, performance of children in the light of age, aptitude and ability and behavior of the society in terms of recognition, days are not far off when the number of counseling help centers will exceed the number of schools. It is in the light of the above that instead of educating them, it is better to ‘de-educate’ them failing which things are going to be worse. It is high time that we all tag our brains together and create a situation where our children grow in full. In other words, physical, intellectual, spiritual, mental and aesthetic developments go side by side. Otherwise our children under the compulsion of parents will keep on aspiring and perspiring to acquire in a day what our forefathers acquired in years. As we all know the job of a good teacher is supposed to be more missionary and less mercenary, it becomes necessary for teachers to be deeply dedicated and devoted to the cause of education as they are one of the biggest influencers in a child’s life. Teachers who wish to play an effective role in shaping future careers should keep in mind the following:

• Equip the child with the latest techniques of learning process
• Keep encouraging students in the light of their aptitude, ability and attitude
• Be the real friend, guide and well wisher for the child
• Spot hidden talents and advise accordingly
• Avoid humiliating slow learners and create a feeling of belongingness
• Remain in touch with parents

To sum up, if the afore said agencies are to play their roles effectively, schools definitely will have a constructive role to play in shaping the destiny of future citizens of the country.