Being a high school teacher, teaching Economics it is quite surprising to find students who do not read. Majority of the students who join Economics in Grade 11 come with zero reading habit. Sad! Acquisition of knowledge happens when students read beyond the textbook especially for a subject like Economics where students have to be self- motivated to apply the Economic concepts to real-world situations. This is possible by reading newspaper – as Economics does not have a lab where things can be demonstrated and shown to students. So 15 min – 20 min of news reading sessions, discussions and connections to real-world examples can be basic and effective teaching strategy while teaching Economics at high school level.

Life is so strange, We sometimes – rather most of the times have to do things because that is expected of us. One of this is wishing someone on their birthday in a WhatsApp group.

I often, wonder if WhatsApp being flooded with birthday wishes on your birthday – is that a sign of genuine, heartfelt one – or some act like what we do in marriages when we go as invitees – make your presence felt. We all do feel happy for a person who is getting married or celebrating his birthday. Do we really need to flood the WhatsApp with birthday messages?

Agreed, it is a reason to celebrate – especially for kids – as it makes them feel like they are the Centre of attention. But for an adult – a warm wish, a hug, a gift or reviving some old memory together from the person who matters most to us – shouldn’t that suffice?

I am sometimes, forced to watch soap-operas in the regional language in so called prime channels. The show, strangely deal with characters – especially the women protagonist – very regressive in their thought process. It was quite shocking to watch an episode where the women protagonist in a prime-time show frets over not marrying the person – she was supposed to marry and goes on to talk about how marrying the X , Y or Z was the sole purpose of her existence.

In an era, when we encourage people to think big, highlight women achievers in social media and emphasis on women empowerment – how is it that these soap-operas are regressive? How is it that women’s welfare association or National Commission for women – fail to layout guidelines about the portrayal of women characters on television.

How do millions of viewers find such shows engaging? And, how are lead actors of such regressive shows popular?

This pandemic is confusing and interesting. I have had relatives who are sick and who cannot be paid a visit. I was wondering how things are working for them and what they are going through?

At the same time, I have been teaching online, attending professional classes online, holding parents-teacher’s meeting online – these online meets – save time and energy which I would have wasted traveling up and down to different venues across the city for different tasks.

So Should I treat this as a blessing or …….. Very confusing times.

I am diabetic – not supposed to eat sweets and pasteurized. But, I do once a while, chalega yaar. I like tea cake – soft and spongy – and no cream. I like to visit bakery . I like the icing on the cakes – white, brown, yellow – curled up with a jerry beautifully perched on it – tutti fruity sprinkled on it, Chico stick jutting out invitingly – a thin slice of no plate sticking out seductively. Creams – strawberry, buttersotch, Vanilla and chocolate ……hmmmm! Enticing you from different layers. Small pastries – triangular in shape and melting in our mouths. Somehow, the thrill of looking at it does not force me to extend my hand and buy one – it’s pasteries after all – small and cut geometrically in shapes – meant for just one – me, you or whoever.

What I can never resist is the birthday cakes – tastefully done – an architectural marvel is what I feel, gingerly packed and opened. Everyone craning their necks to look at it – the ooh’s and the haa’s that accompany their entry, rushing for another helping, claiming ownership of the chocolate slices and choco sticks, taking photos of an uncut birthday cake from different angles as if it is a bride to be.

The thrill of the b’day baby – taking the first bite, the joy that erupts in our heart when the knife sinks softly into the cake cutting it – lovely. A memory that never gets erased – a memory of one food that brings families together, couples happier, children excited. A memory that brings smiles on everyone’s face years later.

A full – blown b’day cake that lights up our face in an otherwise monotonous life. Even the thought of it triggers happy moments – lovely ! The cake that teaches us the valuable lesson of sharing, caring and smiling – It’s the b’day cake……. I love…..not the pastries.

I did not enjoy online classes, initially. I did not want to meet students over a video or a camera.

Now with almost 3 months of online classes, I seem to like it. It’s far better than face-to-face classes. I do not have to waste my time disciplining students.

I do not have homeworks and assignments pending for correction. The classes are based on discussion. There are no weekly tests, monthly tests and other fancy tests as the management demands.

I am left with a lot of teaching time. Been enjoying it.

The new National Education Policy (NEP) that has been published has garnered enough attention. There are many supporters to the policy just as we have few criticisms.

Concerns have been raised about the multi-language learning at the primary level. But research has proved that learning multiple languages improves the cognitive development of the child.

The multiple exit points at the under graduation level is something to be applauded.

The worry is not about the curriculum but the implementation of the programme.

The divide among rural-urban schools relating to infrastructure and teacher efficiency and the appropriate student-teacher ratio remains a major concern. The curriculum should not widen the gap.

There are primary schools in remote parts of India that lack basic infrastructure – how will resource materials relating to activity-based learning reach such schools? How effective will a single teacher in some rural schools, cater to the learning needs of different learners in varied age-groups?

The curriculum provides for students in high-school to choose subjects of their choice – high school is still a dream in most villages of India.

Revamping of a report-card based on skills and profiles is a warm welcome. The teacher, the student, the management and most importantly the mind-set of the parents needs to be open-minded to embrace such a perspective towards the report card.

Finally, compulsory appointment of Special Education Counselors in Schools is also a welcome move. However, effective utilization of such a full-time resource person by the schools and the management also needs to be seen.

Overall, the policy is extremely interesting and what we need to wait and watch is the loopholes in the implementation, which this policy has not addressed.