A Lesson in Involvement

Written by Vinny Arora

In 2014,I found myself teaching at a reputed school in a city in Uttar Pradesh. It was that time of the quarter when parents eagerly gathered for the Parents Teachers Meet, seeking updates on their children's progress. As the class teacher for grade 10, I welcomed each parent with a smile, ready to discuss their child's academic journey.

Amidst the bustling atmosphere, a father and his son entered the room. The father's face held a hint of concern, while the son seemed a bit apprehensive. I greeted them warmly and made them comfortable, hoping to ease their worries. 

I informed the father that his son possessed great potential but struggled due to irregular attendance. To my surprise, the father's eyes widened in shock, and he turned to his son, blurting out in colloquial Hindi, "Hain, tum school nahin aate?" (what, you don't attend school?)

The son looked down, unable to meet his father's gaze. Sensing the tension in the room, I decided to intervene. I asked the son to fetch his notes from the Social Science Teacher, providing them an opportunity to speak privately. As the son left, curiosity took over, and I asked the father, "Sir, do you stay away because of work?" 

With a mixture of surprise and annoyance, the father replied, "Nahin Madam." (no, ma'am.) Determined to understand the situation, I continued probing gently, "Sir, do you leave early in the morning and return late at night?" The father sighed and responded, "arre, nahin nahin madam. Hum to subha 10 bajee jaate hain aur shaam main bhi jaldi hi aa jaate hain." (Well, no, ma'am. I leave at 10 in the morning and return early in the evening.)

At this point, a realization hit me like a bolt of lightning. "Toh phir aapko nahin pata ki aap ka beta school aata hai ki nahin?" (so, don't you know whether your son attends school or not?) I asked, puzzled by his nonchalant attitude. With a hint of mockery, the father replied, "Woh toh uski mummy ki pata hoga. Main toh in sab main nahin padta." (His mother would know about that. I don't bother with all these things.)

I was stunned. It became clear that the father had absolved himself of any responsibility regarding his son's education, believing it to be solely his wife's concern. The gravity of the situation hit me, and I felt compelled to address it.

I explained to the father that his son's education was not solely his wife's responsibility but a joint effort. I emphasized that his involvement was vital for the growth and success of their child. The father mumbled something that resembled an affirmation, a sheepish smile playing on his lips as he walked away.

As I reflected on this encounter, I couldn't help but ponder the importance of meaningful contribution from all stakeholders in education. Parents, teachers, and students themselves must work together to create an environment conducive to learning and growth. Education extends beyond the confines of a classroom. By embracing their roles, parents, teachers, and students can shape a brighter future through quality education.