My Educational Philosophy

Philosophy:

As I see learners around me as a part of my previous work and as me as a learner myself, I notice that people, young and old are not thrilled by the idea of education. They resent being an entity confined to the system. But everyone, young and old wants to learn. Because learning makes us know more. It makes us take better decisions. It makes us a better version of ourselves.

The education system should offer an approach to learning where the process in itself is rewarding and not just the product. Learners should feel respected, loved and understood. They should be allowed be themselves, to scream, to cry, to challenge and ask why! When such an environment is established, learning happens organically. Students would look forward to learn, and construct their own understanding of the world around them. Education should be all about creating the right learning environment.

A snippet of my education and the impact of my teachers on me

My young school days

I don't remember much details from my school days as it has been quite a number of years since I finished my schooling. But I have a general fondness towards my primary and secondary schooling as I was flourishing in a highly democratic school. I was allowed to come up with ideas even if I was unsure of them myself. I could come up with concerns that were bothering me. I could counter every concept that was taught. I, as an individual and as a student, felt important and valued.

Karunanidhi Sir

I am not sure if I am allowed to take names of my teachers, but I definitely owe this to him. He was my Physics teacher. He was a pious man who believed God was everywhere. This is how he explained it to us.

“I see God everywhere, not just because Bhagvat Gita says so. But because I feel so. Everything in the universe is made of mass. Every mass has an atom. Every atom has a nucleus and electrons revolving around that nucleus. To me, the nucleus is Parvati and the electrons revolving around it represent Shiva. And the force between the nucleus and the electrons is God’s way of running the universe. At any point, if this force is disturbed, the entire universe would collapse!”

I understand in today’s age, it may not be the best idea to introduce religion into science, but I am ever so grateful to my teacher for bringing life to the subject. I was in awe. I enjoyed his lectures and eventually enjoyed Physics, as a subject! Thank you sir!

My Senior Secondary School

I moved to another school for my senior secondary education. It was a highly autocratic school that pushed the students with loads of work and impossible timelines. I went into the admission process with my eyes wide open, thinking that I would be more successful if I was in an environment that pushed my limits. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The school was not only autocratic but was unfair in so many ways. There were so many misconceptions about the right way of learning things. Students were sorted into sections based on their academic performance. Boys and girls weren’t allowed to interact with each other in spite of it being a coed school, so much so that we had separate stairways for boys and girls. I couldn’t even begin to understand the school’s values and ideals as most of their policies were unnatural. They seemed to suppress the most natural tendencies of children in the name of inculcating discipline.

As a result, I lost my confidence to interact with the other gender, because it was always seen as a taboo. I lost my confidence to speak in a crowd, because I knew I was constantly judged for what I said. I lost my confidence to take an exam because I was worried that I would be shamed if I didn't score the marks that was expected of me. I eventually lost my whole self, to a point where I couldn’t recognise the person I had become.

Shibumi

I was intrigued with Tanu as she was so simple and yet brilliant at the same time. She didn’t use language that was hard to understand, but her thoughts and observations were so profound. The fact that she was able to see the beauty of a child being in the moment, by banging the iron rods on the gate, touched my heart. I am encouraged to recognise such moments with my students as well. nice

I was also moved by Parvati’s assertion. She was very clear as to what she wanted to do when she grew up. She had said that she did not want to be anywhere in the “high level”. She just wanted to teach music to kids because she loved music and that she was good at it. When she said that I could see the pride in her eyes. I think this could be one of the biggest successes of Shibumi. To have given the students the freedom to dream and to be able to take pride in it, no matter what.

Me, as a young Parvati

I remember when I was a little younger than Parvati - young girl from the The School in Chennai, telling my extended family that I liked to become a teacher when I grew up. My “dream” was received with a gasp, a sneer and an uproar by my uncles and aunts. They felt that I was insulting the education that I was given, by choosing to become JUST a teacher. According to them, if I had to do justice to my education, I should strive to become a doctor or an engineer. They threw so much shame not only to me, but also to the whole teaching profession, that I never dared to think of becoming a teacher again. It is really tragic that the profession of school teaching is now looked down upon by the middle and upper class

I was a kid trying to win everyone’s approval and became the most coveted engineer that they looked up to. My starting salary was close to what my father was earning after 18 years of government service. A proud moment for the family! While I enjoyed all the comfort and luxury that money could buy, it did not last long. I began hating Mondays. I began looking forward to holidays and weekends so that I could “enjoy life”. My only motivation to keep going was the fat paycheck I got every month. I began complaining and worrying a lot. I felt like I did not belong. But the funny thing was that no one in my family could understand why I was complaining about a seemingly successful life. They assumed I was greedy. At that time, I was not smart enough to understand the problem. I simply could not find passion in what I was doing. Again, I felt lost.

A work in progress

I am still trying to find my own self. But I am kind to myself in the whole process. I am trying to be self aware. I seek my spiritual help and sometimes I also get the help I need. I am moved by J..Krishnamurti’s ideals and values. Although I have numerous questions around bringing his ideals to life, I am grateful for being introduced to his work. I am looking forward to encouraging lots of young Parvatis to pursue their dreams!