Teachers Kill Students

Do Teachers 'Kill' Students
(Text-type: Expositions - Random Thoughts)

Someone asked me a rather disturbing question today. This question echoed a statement Zafran said to me the other day...and something that I had to grapple with each year. "Ma...it's the prelims...why do I get such results? Why does my teacher want to kill me?"

As we get into the final lap to prepare our students for the exams, we give them tough, and challenging questions. So whether it is the prep, mock or prelims, the papers set seem to get harder...

I speak for myself, and not the education system.
I know that I am not out to kill. There is no need to demoralise the students, especially at the time when they need to experience success...and push on.
But the exams papers are set in such a way as to test what they know, and apply the skills they have learnt.

This is the real gauge...for you can see those who have found their wings, and are ready to fly. Those who falter...there is a reason why...and the next step is to quickly remediate, and tackle the problem.

You see, it is no longer about who has the most fantastic memory. It is about how you are able to use the skills you have...and make connections, and then applying the specific content knowledge you have.

I do not 'kill'...but I will push, prod, poke,if I have to, but I will coax and cajole too.




A Prayer for today
I am still trying hard to be understanding, and bite my tongue. I know I am the 'rationale' adult, and should be the one who is in control. Please make me strong and resilient too...help me find my sense of balance again. Give me the wisdom to reach out to those who need my help, and the insight and empathy to understand that they people behave the way they do, because all they need , is someone who will never give up on them....Ameen