When I did the site visit to the teaching centers of the NGO we support, I found that the 10th class girls were reading their science book. I squatted down beside one girl and discussed some of the things that she was reading. Seeing this, the coordinator of the NGO asked me to come and teach the children some day. I rashly promised. But when the day came, I was quaking with fear. Teaching M.Sc students is one thing. School children are a completely different ball game. I would have to get down to their level. Language was another thing. I knew that these kids were not comfortable with English. Teaching Science in Hindi? I did not any of the terminologies. But a promise is a promise so I went out there last Saturday.
The kids were equally apprehensive. Would I scold? Would I shout? Would I be strict?
And so we met.
The first rule in my class, I said, was that they had to ask questions. I cannot teach if questions are not asked.
The children stared at me. Disbelieving.
I had looked through the 9th class text book as the coordinator had told me to. But the 10th class girls decided that they wanted their syllabus to be covered.
We covered a lot. We started with photosynthesis, moved on to processes like nutrition, transportation, and digestion. Along the way the children lost their apprehension. Questions came fast and furious.
How is cancer caused?
What happens when memory is lost?
And then one girl asked:
"Why do hormonal changes happen? Why do we have to grow up?"
I wanted to comfort her. And tell her that it was the same question Jo, from Little Women, had asked. But of course, she had not read Little Women and I did not have the book with me to read it to her.
Two hours went fast. They were not exhausted but I was. I learned a lot:
1. The NCERT text books have improved a lot. Each science section comes with set of easy experiments that can be done in the class room. In fact, instead of memorizing the facts, the children can understand the concept if they were allowed to do the experiment. I do not blame the teacher especially if they have to teach 40-60 children at a time. But if we had more schools, if the class size was limited, and if the children were seated in groups, and if the teacher was enthusiastic and allowed the children to ask questions, science would be fun.
2. I learned the Hindi version of some of the science terminologies
2. The children were eager to learn. Once they had lost their fear, they asked all kinds of questions. Generally, it takes my M.Sc class more than a week to start asking questions and then too it is of limited nature. Some of them ask interesting questions that make me go back and read more but generally, the questions are of limited scope. But these kids were really fun to interact with. It is such a pity that we are depriving them of a good education.
The kids were equally apprehensive. Would I scold? Would I shout? Would I be strict?
And so we met.
The first rule in my class, I said, was that they had to ask questions. I cannot teach if questions are not asked.
The children stared at me. Disbelieving.
I had looked through the 9th class text book as the coordinator had told me to. But the 10th class girls decided that they wanted their syllabus to be covered.
We covered a lot. We started with photosynthesis, moved on to processes like nutrition, transportation, and digestion. Along the way the children lost their apprehension. Questions came fast and furious.
How is cancer caused?
What happens when memory is lost?
And then one girl asked:
"Why do hormonal changes happen? Why do we have to grow up?"
I wanted to comfort her. And tell her that it was the same question Jo, from Little Women, had asked. But of course, she had not read Little Women and I did not have the book with me to read it to her.
Two hours went fast. They were not exhausted but I was. I learned a lot:
1. The NCERT text books have improved a lot. Each science section comes with set of easy experiments that can be done in the class room. In fact, instead of memorizing the facts, the children can understand the concept if they were allowed to do the experiment. I do not blame the teacher especially if they have to teach 40-60 children at a time. But if we had more schools, if the class size was limited, and if the children were seated in groups, and if the teacher was enthusiastic and allowed the children to ask questions, science would be fun.
2. I learned the Hindi version of some of the science terminologies
2. The children were eager to learn. Once they had lost their fear, they asked all kinds of questions. Generally, it takes my M.Sc class more than a week to start asking questions and then too it is of limited nature. Some of them ask interesting questions that make me go back and read more but generally, the questions are of limited scope. But these kids were really fun to interact with. It is such a pity that we are depriving them of a good education.
