In an all-new series titled Students’ Corner, EducationWorld speaks with Aayushi Singh, Head Girl, Meru International School, Telengana about her likes and dislikes, passion and the pandemic stress. Here are the excerpts:
1. Presently, is your school running offline?
Being a purpose-driven school we could successfully create physical learning environment for term I by adhering to all the Covid protocols set by the government. We ran an extra mile in keeping the premises clean, maintaining social distance and conducting vaccination drive for the grown up children of the community. When the 3 rd wave set, keeping the health of every individual in mind we switched back to online learning.
2. What is the general preference amongst students? (Regarding attending school and re-shutting of schools amidst the new surge of Covid cases)
I personally believe that the learners like me dearly missed the peer interaction and physical presence of the teacher, where in we felt that the learning would have been much more fruitful. However, we understood the vitality of being in doors to stay healthy.
Aayushi Singh, Head Girl, Meru International School, Telengana
3. The Students council representative is one of the most coveted positions in schools. How are you carrying out your responsibilities online and amidst the virtual classes? How is it different compared to the pre-covid times?
Yes. I do agree. As matter of fact, most of the time it is the physical presence of people that is missed. In general, I chair the student council meeting virtually in order to look back on our journey and plan fruitfully for the next month with the meaningful interaction of the principal every fortnight.
4. Going by reports, even after re-opening few students are attending in-person classes. What has the response been like in your school? Is online learning a preferred choice?
Without a doubt, the response for offline classes was remarkable because most of us felt that we were deprived of being and learning in the school atmosphere which rendered us a true sense of schooling. On the other hand, leaning at home felt like being shut behind the doors and confined to four walls. Online learning was a preferred choice as to safe guard our near and dear ones.
5. Since there has been little time for revision of the previous year’s syllabus and the pandemic has caused disruptions in continued education, how do you think the learning gap can be bridged?
Fortunately, various boards of education both in India as well as abroad have either reduced the syllabus or cancelled/ postponed the exams to put the learners at ease. In order to bridge the gap the learners should remain enthusiastic, inquisitive and hardworking.
6. According to you, what is more viable at this stage? Is it returning to physical classes or a continuation of the online ones?
In my humble opinion, I would rather prefer offline classes at least for the board classes where the learners can have peer interaction and physical presence of the teacher. Besides, the 3rd wave is on the decline, which is a welcome sign. However, the institutions should make sure that every grown up child is vaccinated keeping the welfare of people in mind.
7. How has the journey been from March 2020? What changes did you/your friends had to incorporate to continue the pandemic?
It was definitely a roller coaster ride. Many ended up losing their livelihoods, social interaction of people was deeply hampered and there was a sense of uncertainty among very many. However, it gave me an opportunity to be with my family 24/7, indulge in various hobbies and distinguish between needs and wants.
8. How were your practical classes (lab sessions) managed during the pandemic?
We certainly missed the hands on approach with lab sessions. Nevertheless, our teachers ensured that we virtually watched the experiments with help of informative technology tools and practice if the apparatus and equipment available at home.
9. How did you make up for the missing peer interaction? Have you managed to stay connected with your friends?
Social media was a blessing in those troubled times to be in constant touch with each other be it a text message or a video calling. We created a Whatsapp group where we sought each other’s help in clarifying subject related queries as well as each one’s wellbeing.
10. There have been last-minute changes in exam patterns, evaluation criteria etc. How have you dealt with this?
Indeed, it was a large chunk to chew. However, the school and the subject teachers ensured that the last minute changes were updated on time. We got in touch with our peers and teachers got in touch with various schools to flood us with the information and the material needed.
11. What does the government need to do to support children during the pandemic as classes have gone online?
The govt should ensure that students from every corner of this country are equipped to learn online so that no one is deprived of their right to information and learning. It can advise the institutions to cut short the screen time which will have an adverse impact on the health of the individual. It can also instruct the education boards not to be hard on students’ performances.
12. In the absence of in-person interaction with teachers, how do you keep abreast with the latest career options or higher education prospects available to you currently?
In fact, technology plays a vital role in keeping abreast with the latest career options. The school has a reputed career counselor in place to time and again interact with the students virtually on university admissions and various webinars providing them with indispensible information.
13. How did you cope with exam stress? Did you have access to a counselor who could help you through difficult times?
Exam stress in an undeniable fact which everyone goes through more so when you attend classes online. However, when we have tutors who are willing to give their best and students who are willing to work hard the stress just takes a back seat. Despite this when we go through bouts of stress we have an amazing counselor who could lend a helping hand and get us out of trouble.
14. How are you preparing for competitive exams? Are you attending post-school tutorials online?
Certainly, after school hours I attend post- school tutorials online which do a world of good in preparing me for upcoming competitive exams.
15. Have you understood the National Education Policy 2020’s takeaways? What is your take on it?
Indeed I have. In my opinion, it stresses very much on inclusive learning where I am encouraged to learn in an inter- disciplinary method and not just sticking on to a single subject failing to see the connection between them. Besides, it lets me apply my learning to real life situations hence becoming practically oriented learning.
Also Read: ‘Learning loss’ can be bridged if students take responsibility of learning’
