‘Parents are Best Teachers’- Prof. Dharma at Heera Int’l School PT Orientation

‘Parents are Best Teachers’- Prof. Dharma at Heera Int’l School PT Orientation

‘Parents are Best Teachers for Child’s Success’- Prof. P L Dharma at Heera International School Parents’ and Teacher Orientation Programme

Mangaluru: It’s that time of the year, that children head back to school after summer vacation, and also when others will step into the school for the first time as ‘new students’. Every June the crosswalks ripen with kids in their back-to-school clothes; the long yellow school buses harvest our lanes and streets;p and including the brightly colored backpacks; and then the parents escorting their kids to the school. What a beautiful scene, and what a beautiful life! Everyone has a share in the emotions that accompany this time. Everyone who’s been to school, including me, know it on a fairly deep level, but it’s the ex-student in me who feels the back-to-school time most acutely.

Late Mrs Heera B Shetty

And for that matter, the management and teachers of Heera International School- Shakthinagar here had done the appropriate thing by inviting the parents along with their kids who were eagerly awaiting to admit their kids at this school, by organizing a ‘Parents’ Teachers Orientation Programme’ at the school, with a eminent speaker to deliver the basics as to to how to be a good parent and a good teacher to a child. The programme with invoking God’s blessings through a prayer song rendered by a bevy of school teachers, followed by welcome address by Vice Principal of the School, Ms Sunitha D’souza. The programme was inaugurated by lighting the lamp by the chief guest/key-note speaker Prof. P L Dharma-Professor of Political Science, Mangalore University-Konaje, along with President of the School Trust Dr Bhasker Shetty; Ms Janet Thomas-Administrator and Ms Sunitha D’souza- Vice Principal of the School respectively.

The brief history of the school was highlighted through a Power Point Presentation by Ms Akshatha assisted by Ms Kalavathi, both teachers at the school. Dr Bhaskar Shetty delivering his presidential address said, ” Our motto is ‘Dare to Dream…Learn to Excel’ and The mission of the School is to provide a learning environment that encourages children to bring out the best in themselves and which supports their all-round development, through discovering the joy of learning, awakening and illuminating their intellect in multi-dimensional ways, and instilling abiding values in themselves. All our teachers are experienced and knowledgeable, and the School is equipped with the most modern equipment and software. Here our focus is on creating an atmosphere of learning that children enjoy and one that encourages them to discover and express their talents to the fullest. We are driven by the belief that every child is important and the children should be at the heart of every educational endeavour. This makes us direct all our efforts to inspire and enable each child to believe in and practice our motto. My intention on starting this school was not for commercial purpose, but in memory of my wife who loved children very dearly”.

The chief guest and resource person was introduced to the audience by Ms Ancy Tauro, the vote of thanks was proposed by Ms Shubhalakshmi, and the programme was compered by Ms Rajani Ajith, all school teachers. Now came the much awaited moment of the day to hear Prof Dharma speak words of wisdom relevant to teachers and parents, and their role in the growth and success of a child-he said, ” Being at this institution for the first time, I am overwhelmed to know the fact that this institution of a reputation is the brain child of a Doctor who is handful with his committed service to save the life of people. I on behalf of Mangalore University congratulate him and his team for this great service at this point of time when this District is undergoing ‘A MASSIVE ECONOMIC CHANGE’. The chairman would have thought of a Medical College but he has very humbly thought of a foundational school. In this regard, I have three points to highlight-

-First, about this institution. I do not think an institution will grow only with the help of the institutional maker. it completely depends upon the stake holders of the same. In this connection I stress a fact that institution is socially rooted. There are different social groups with different interest here. Each one of you are different in your expectations.-You are a diverse group with multicultural priorities. But, this institution looks at your children as ONE. Without discriminating the students on their social background it takes students as one group. This is what this country needs today. By doing this, “HEERA” has decided to produce wonderful citizens rather than people belonging to different religion.

-Second, I look at the teachers of this school as the very experienced one. They have played their role here in this institution as the second mother to each child. I am sure you parents can trust them and be cool when your children is in the hands of Heera. I want all the teachers to look at teaching as a passion and make the learning enjoyable. every child has to love you and love the institution every next morning. society expects you to behave properly and have great tolerance in your behaviour.

– Third and final point, is that please do not get guided by the television. Do not compare your child with any one. Let us know every child is a God gift. Let us not put them in an unnatural box of expectations. Let us produce a wonderful human beings who love each other, respect and mutually sacrifice for the benefit of happiness.

Parents are the best teachers who know the strength and weakness of their child:

Dear parents and teachers’, your attention please! When I think of my early education I wonder how fast the system has changed. It is not the system it has changed on its own but, we have changed our system for our benefits. This is the truth i wanted to share with you all dear parents and teachers.

Both parents and Teachers are the same kind of people who are engaged in the process of teaching and learning except for the fact that both of them work in different places. A parent is a person or persons who have a bundle of expectations from their respective children. They therefore look up to Teachers to fulfill their expectations.

What are parents’ expectations-? To make their child the best; To introduce her or him to the best of the learning exercise; To make the child excel in all fields; To fare good rather excellent in studies; To be at the top always; To be winner always, and To be a leader.

These and more are put together and look up to the school where their child or children study. However, it is quite interesting and surprising too those parents expect only few things from their children. Is the child matured enough to absorb this huge task at the young age? is the question which was never asked by a parent. I wonder once again why every parent fails in this area. It may be due to the tough competitions existing in life or may be to overtake every one. The stress on the young brain primarily comes from the Parents’ expectations from their child. They further get depressed when their child did not reach to the expected level. The same depressions are shown on the child and begin to educate her or him by comparing someone who is said to be better than their child. Let us end this system of forceful learning or imposing certain things which are unpragmatic.

Parents are the best teachers who know the strength and weakness of their child. Their guidance today is the best way of making them learn. Parents teach them how to love learning, learning everything with a passion. Teachers on the other hand have also great expectations from a child for that a teacher has a limited role to play in the life of a child. Though it is very limited from its external look, it is very important as it shapes the future of every child. The following are seven expectations from a Teacher-

A child has to be an independent entity, hence, learn easily; A child has to be neat and perfect; A child must say yes to everything teacher say; A child gives less burden; A child knows the subject; A child works hard, and A child gives less trouble.

All these are possible only when parents teach them; prepare them as expected by the teachers. What is the role of teachers in school? Is the simple and valid questions every parent would ask? Teachers have only limited role in the sense they shape their acquired knowledge and put them into practice. Therefore Teachers are practitioners of teaching. They undertake a task defined for them. They have hardly any time to go beyond their task which is monitored every now and then.

Today it is very difficult to be a teacher as the expectations from the society in general and the parents, in particular, are increasing day by day. Given the unexpected developments elsewhere the trust on Teachers are slowly dwindling. Teaching, therefore, is a challenging task and teachers are under severe pressure. To produce wonderful result is their priority; hence pressurize the students to help them to reach their goal.

What is and which school is the best today? The best school is one which has 100% results. We never ask a question whether the school produces a loving child, a patriot, a kind hearted, a peace loving or the one who respects every one. We very often forget to make our child very resourceful to society. We don’t expect a child to be tolerant and secular. We want modern education in a conservative set up. This contradiction has made our system highly sensitive.

A viable solution is to have a cordial relationship between parents and teachers to make school and society a place to live and love. I pray God to give us a time to make Mangaluru a loving place to be peaceful and progressive. Jai Hind!

About the Speaker Prof. P L Dharma:

Prof. P.L. Dharma, presently is the Professor of Political Science, Mangalore University, Mangalagangothri, Mangaluru. Having done his B.A. at Mangalore University, 1986 with Second Class, he did his M.A. at Mangalore University in 1988, First Rank, Gold Medalist; and completed his PhD. at Karnataka University, in 1994. Few of his Administrative and Academic Achievements are: NSS Programme Officer, 1994-1996. Chairman, Dept of Political Science, Mangalore University, 1999-2001, and 2004 to January 2012; Chairman, P.G.Examination, Public Administration Kerala University, Trivandrum, Kerala; Academic Council Member, Roshni Nilaya Autonomous College, Mangalore, 2011 2012; Member, Governing Council, St. Agnes Autonomous College, Mangaluru-2013; Director, Gandhian Studies Centre From its inception in 2005 to 2012.; Director, Buddhist Study Centre, from 2005 to 2012

Chairman, Committee to Monitor PG Centre, Chikka Aluvara, 2012-13; Chief Coordinator, UGC Sponsored Training Centers, from 2005 to 2014; Nodal officer, anti-ragging committee, Mangalore University,2013; Director, Student Welfare, Mangalore University, from 2013 onwards. He had undertaken various UGC projects, done survey on Beedi industry; received many PhD awards for his projects; has been a Resource Person in National Seminars; also Resource Person in International Seminars; is author of many publications; delivered many Endowment Lecture and edited books; Member/Chairman of Board of Examinations [working]- Mangalore University, Mangaluru, Karnataka.

Kuvempu University, Shivamogga, Karnataka, Gulbarga University, Gulbarga, Karnataka, Mysore University, Mysore, Karnataka, Goa University, Goa, and many others; Working in Public Service Commission as Examiner; involved in Social Extension Work: