‘Extra freedom
STUDENTS’ TAKES A crosssection of teenagers was asked if they have been needlessly restricted at school and home. Catch up with their views on this.
Children should have enough freedom to be themselves — once they’ve learned the rules. — Anna Quindlen
NEW DELHI: ‘Freedom’ is a word that conjures up numerous images on the canvas of our mind. Like that of birds flying freely across the vast, blue sky; or that of a panoramic view of an individual shown with hands outstretched against the backdrop of the wide expanse of an ocean or sea.
Used in the context of school students across the national capital, however, the same word assumes a totally different meaning. School Times decided to ask students if they consider themselves being subjected to unnecessary restrictions at school and home? Do they fancy needing more freedom to do things they like? And if such a wish is granted, how would they utilise such a freedom?
Suryansh Khatri, a Class 9 student at Amrita Vidyalayam in Saket, expressed the view that students definitely deserve more freedom, but with reasonable limits. Elaborating, he said: “We should be able to study history outdoors, at historical sites for instance. Marks should be given on the basis of the student’s understanding of subjects, and not merely going by the usual written tests.
“Lessons should be taught through both practicals and theory. E-books should be preferred to heavy bags. But certain limitations, like uniforms which help maintain equality and strict norms on the use of electronic gadgets, which cause distractions, must be there. In ancient times, students used to study through practical a practical approach while they lived in the lap of nature along with their gurus.”
To support his recommendations, the student even referred to a chapter titled The Happy School in a book by author Daulat Panday citing the example of a school where students are taught in such a pleasant way.
In the words of Chetna Malhotra of Class 9 at the Columbia Foundation School, Vikaspuri, “Nowadays many parents do not trust their children and keep an eye on the latters’ activities. This puts children under stress and they tend to become rebellious. Too much freedom, however, can become a curse. Some children misuse freedom to bunk school and tuition classes. Sometimes they fall into bad company, start smoking and experimenting with drugs. So, it is important to limit the freedom granted to children”. When asked what she would do if granted more freedom, the Columbia Foundation student said that she would try to become a great woman and travel around the world.
Children should be given freedom if they are “responsible and wise”, according to Palak Mahajan of Class 8 at the DAV Public School in Sreshtha Vihar. “It is said that everyone loves freedom, then why not children! They deserve freedom, but first they should be wise. If I am given more freedom, I would make a study timetable which suits my needs.
I would choose better study options. I would prefer group studies with my mates,” she said.
A teenager who feels that students should be given more freedom is Arun of Class 7 at the Suraj Bhan DAV Public School in Vasant Vihar. “Students should be able to decide what they want to do or study. Nowadays, the school schedule is tightly-packed. One can say there is no time for students to breathe. Teachers are always taking extra classes and imparting bookish knowledge. Most students are not interested in bookish knowledge. They would like to do assignments, projects and group studies. But, the curriculum does not allow them to do so,” he said. If granted more freedom, Arun added that he would go beyond bookish knowledge and like to take part in more assignments, projects and group studies.
Taking a dif ferent view, Kr rish Tanwar, a Class 7 student at Tagore International School, Vasant Vihar, contended that students don’t deserve more freedom to do what they like because numerous children are already leading undeservingly pampered lives.
Citing one such instance, he said that several teenagers bring electronic gadgets to school without permission. “In such a scenario,” he said, “while students do deserve freedom, it should be limited in scope. “Given a chance to enjoy more freedom, I would like to buy things that are useful in everyday life”, he said.
‘FREEDOM’ IS A WORD THAT CONJURES UP NUMEROUS IMAGES LIKE THAT OF BIRDS FLYING ACROSS THE SKY, BUT IN THE CONTEXT OF STUDENTS IT HAS A DIFFERENT MEANING