The PM’s initiative to connect with students was laudable but it lacked spontaneity.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had interacted with the students across the country on the occasion of Teacher’s Day. The event was broadcast live at several schools via internet, television and radio. Students asked several questions to Modi pertaining to the education system, skill development and various other issues. Even though some students asked questions to Modi in English, he replied to them in Hindi which was proving to be hindrance for some of them.
Most of the students lacked interest in listening to the programme as many of them were found sleeping, playing pranks with their fellow mates. A school from Borivali was shut down after observing Teacher’s Day but Modi’s programme was not telecasted. Even though Modi tried to connect with students but many of them were looking confused. It was not Children’s Day but Teacher’s Day and the PM could have interacted with teachers instead. He could have spoken to them about improving the education system of the country which at present is in dire straits.
During the function, Modi was saying that children need to perspire four times a day. Instead, he could have focused on improving the infrastructure and building playgrounds which would enable children to play. Since students are overburdened with studies and tuition hence they are less likely to perspire.
teacher from Kandivali school spoke to AV on the condition of anonymity and said, “Modi should have laid emphasis on the personality development of students as they are possessing mere bookish knowledge. Today children don’t have time to pursue extra-curricular activities as they are more focused on improving their grades by studying hard. Thus the PT drill and physical activities have taken back seat in schools today. “
Those schools which were unable to broadcast the event through television made it possible through radio broadcast. Many schools installed screens to enable students to view the event in a better manner.
Modi wants children to remain connected with nature but the irony is that in India, more than 50 per cent children are born on streets. Many of them don’t have a roof over their head and as no prime minister has come forward to address the problems faced by them. Children often die due to malnutrition. Such kind of events will only benefit children belonging to the middle and upper middle class while the poor often remain neglected.
The PM spoke about digital India and improving education through the usage of technology. However, it is more important to educate students about the proper usage of internet as many of them are misusing it for playing games, social networking and chatting. Today’s students are tech-savvy and many international schools are using e-learning facilities and laptops are being provided to students.
Even though initiative taken by Modi was laudable but it could have been more interactive and spontaneous. Children should have been permitted to ask questions freely to the PM.
(By Aditi Taman & Suraj Chandran) and all pictures by Santosh Gupta and Murgesh Bandiwadekar
