COVID TIMES: CELEBRATING TEACHERS IS THE NEED OF THE HOUR

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers are being called warriors. But are they in a state of mind to innovate and look at creative teaching? The classes, the lesson plans, assessment and on top of it, schools organising online events, the list is endless.

On the other hand, their students are expected to do wonders by just looking at the screen. Even if it’s an art/ music or yoga class, the poor child has to do a lot of prep work and then be present in front of the class and the teacher.

Students are getting more restless, more distracted and not motivated to attend classes.

Are we all becoming deaf or adopting the new normal recklessly or ignoring the well-being of all which is the need of the hour. Policies and strategies need lot of brain storming, and if ignored further, they will lead to an unproductive society.

We should not forget the wise words “We are all the rough drafts of the people we are becoming”. In fact, now is also the time to look ahead at the potential after effects of this new normal. We need to now prepare ourselves with more coping skills as the pandemic has negatively impacted the general health & wellbeing of teachers as well as students. More measures need to be adopted for their holistic growth as there may be a spike in different kinds of disorders - both mental and physiological.

This is the time we must use to prepare a toolkit to not only identify but also how to handle any such concerns Although this would mean more pressure on teachers, but this would be a blessing in disguise for them, as teaching about managing emotional self and others will surely bring them closer to selfmanagement.

For the rest of us, this is a good time to open our umbrella of good wishes and positivity, spread warmth and compassion while understanding that these are tough times for all.