The past month was hectic and terrible. It was hectic because I was hopping from one meeting to another because of my administrative responsibilities. It was also hectic because I was trying to complete two manuscripts and one grant. But all that is behind me and the dahlias are smiling in my garden. So things are better (except the weather which is hot one week and cold and rainy the next- my parents who are here with me are longing for the salubrious climate of Chennai with 40oC and 100% humidity.)
The past month was terrible because I was finally forced to take a decision which I hoped I never would have to. I finally put in an attendance register in the laboratory making it mandatory for them to record the time of arrival.
My first few students were really good. They would get in to the lab by 10 in the morning without any threats. They were responsible. The current batch of students stroll in by 11, 11.30...at any time they please. I was very polite with them pointing out that I prefer if they get in the morning by 10. Then I was angry. I shouted and yelled. Nothing made any difference. So finally, I put up the attendance register. They have to sign in by 10. If they are late for more than 3 days, I will institute punishment. I feel terrible because I do not believe that I should be wielding a stick. Not when my scholars are adults. But what does one do when someone does not understand?
I have not signed an attendance register since I left college. And now I too am signing it. Sigh.
The government has initiated biometric cards in all its offices. The staff is upset but what they fail to understand is it is their own callous attitude towards work that has resulted in this scenario.
Finally, I received a mail about HRD initiative on New Education Policy. It made an interesting read. A person, in the section on Developing The Best Teachers, some one has poured his angst at the teachers he encountered in his engineering college- a degree that ultimately is worthless because he was taught nothing.
Will something positive come out of this initiative? I do not know. On the other hand, the railways have been taken to task because complaints poured in about the delays. So who knows?
The past month was terrible because I was finally forced to take a decision which I hoped I never would have to. I finally put in an attendance register in the laboratory making it mandatory for them to record the time of arrival.
My first few students were really good. They would get in to the lab by 10 in the morning without any threats. They were responsible. The current batch of students stroll in by 11, 11.30...at any time they please. I was very polite with them pointing out that I prefer if they get in the morning by 10. Then I was angry. I shouted and yelled. Nothing made any difference. So finally, I put up the attendance register. They have to sign in by 10. If they are late for more than 3 days, I will institute punishment. I feel terrible because I do not believe that I should be wielding a stick. Not when my scholars are adults. But what does one do when someone does not understand?
I have not signed an attendance register since I left college. And now I too am signing it. Sigh.
The government has initiated biometric cards in all its offices. The staff is upset but what they fail to understand is it is their own callous attitude towards work that has resulted in this scenario.
Finally, I received a mail about HRD initiative on New Education Policy. It made an interesting read. A person, in the section on Developing The Best Teachers, some one has poured his angst at the teachers he encountered in his engineering college- a degree that ultimately is worthless because he was taught nothing.
Will something positive come out of this initiative? I do not know. On the other hand, the railways have been taken to task because complaints poured in about the delays. So who knows?
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