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Two Years Of No School: What Have We Learnt, What Have We Missed?

Two years have gone by with educational institutions remaining shut. Waking up early morning to get ready in time for the school bus, running into the school gates with excitement to great all teachers and classmates, turning the pages of the textbooks and taking down important points in the notebooks; all this was replaced by one single screen where teachers imparted education through online classes.

But the good news is, schools have reopened now! The two years have given students, teachers, parents and everyone an opportunity to learn a lot. Finding new ways to stay connected and to ensure that life goes on, has been one of the greatest achievements of the lockdown time.

And now children are hopping on the school bus once again, their uniforms ironed crisp and shoes shining clean, excited to hear the school bell and ready to great at the top of their voices, “Good Morning, Teacher!” Teachers, too are enthused to greet the children at the school gates, welcome them into their classrooms and impart education as the little twinkling eyes get immersed in learning.

Let us reflect on the two years to see how far we have come, what all we have learnt, and all that we have missed the most as we make our way back to school!

A Student Speaks

To imagine how much had changed for children during two years of no school, we must understand what school means to a child. It is not only a place to gain knowledge but also a whole world in itself where they have their own friends, teachers whom they love and respect, where they perform to progress and achieve all on their own. From this environment, a shift to staying at home and attending online classes was a major change. Seeing teachers only on a screen, absence of break time to freely play and enjoy with each other, missing out on a few hours away from home, dedicated and focused to studying and learning was something all children had to start doing all of a sudden. One amazing thing we all adults can envy about children is how well they accept new tides. Let us hear a student’s perspective about how the two years have been, what all they have learnt, and what it is that they have missed.

Vihaan Katara, Student Of Class 4

“When schools were closed for two years and we had to attend our classes digitally, I learnt that online classes weren’t too much fun. Physical classes are way more fun. But I took the opportunity and learnt to make the most of my time at home with my family. Spending more time with my family, I learnt a lot from my parents. I used to go cycling with my father. I learnt photography from him, a skill I am very excited about! My mother also taught me lots of fun things. I learnt gardening, which became a fun daily activity for me and I also learnt how to make chapatis. I spent a lot of time with my books and discovered my love for reading. A very important thing I learnt was that it is always more fun to share all the responsibilities. I participated in our household chores like mopping when we didn’t have domestic help.

But I must say, during these two years I have really missed seeing my teachers in person every day. I also missed all my friends. I wish I could have met with them as we used to in school every day. We all used to bring lots of tasty things to school and eat together. I very dearly missed all the yummy tiffin food and sharing it with all my friends and classmates at school.”

An Educator Speaks

Teachers are the ones most directly connected with the students in school, whether it is in a classroom environment or through a digital platform. With schools being closed for two years, teachers had to take on a completely new approach to education. While it was a major achievement, the teachers have surely missed the company of their students and ensuring overall development and learning at school. Let’s hear the experience of a teacher at Intellitots and find out what she has learnt and what she has missed the most during these two years of teaching remotely.

Nishita Singla, Teacher At Intellitots

“When we started conducting online classes, I had to embrace new technology. I started using video conferencing platforms to teach the kids, I made several educational videos to share with them. Learning how to use these new tools at hand, built a lot of confidence in me. I learnt the importance of socialisation when I saw children interacting in class with me individually as well as with each other. I tried to keep that spirit up even while teaching online. And above all, I learnt a very important thing which I most proudly say, that I can teach globally!

Online education was a big feat which we achieved as a team. However, there are a few things I missed a lot. I really missed school. Seeing the happy, smiling faces of children, some even crying because separating from their parents and seeking comfort with teachers, were all precious moments. I missed the fun classroom moments, especially while preparing for events like special events, sports day, annual day and so many more! Having the company of my colleagues and helpers was also something I dearly missed.”

A Parent Speaks

The past couple of years have been a challenge or two for parents across the country. Being a positive influence for children, facilitating their education at home, and making sure that their children’s physical, emotional and mental health remain fit, while also handling their own world going topsy turvy, was no less than a miraculous achievement. This was also a bonding opportunity for many parents who completely immersed themselves in their children’s education to ensure that there are no gaps in the learning process. Let’s hear from a mother about her biggest learning moments of the past two years, and what she feels she missed out on.

Divya Kamra, Mother Of 4-Year-Old Abeer

“If I must acknowledge one thing that I have observed throughout the period of no school, it is that learning never stops. And for this, I have the highest regard for the teachers who have taken a lot of effort to make sure that with the resources at hand, they facilitate their students to keep marching ahead on the journey of education. Another thing I learnt as a parent was that TV and YouTube are not that bad! No, this wasn’t my shortcut during the lockdown. Initially, I used to be a very strict, no-screentime mom! I was worried about all the negative effects that it could have on my child. But in order to introduce my son to some more learning sources, I introduced him to some video programmes. I noticed that my son has learnt a lot! The only caution one needs to take is that screen time should be structured.

While learning went on throughout this period, I feel my son missed out on his independence. When children go to school, they are their own individual people. They pick their friends, choose their actions, bare the consequences and take care of themselves for the entire duration of the school. When children mix around with their classmates and peers, they thrive. This is very important for their overall development. It is unfortunate that so many children missed out on this opportunity. As a parent, I missed out on delaying the use of the internet and computers for my child. I would have preferred my son to use the digital platform much later, but to be a part of e-school and digital learning, I had to give in. But all’s well that ends well. Now when my child gets back to school, I am sure he is going to enjoy all that he has missed and proudly demonstrate all new things he has learnt.”

A Facilitator Speaks 

Workshops, extracurricular classes and online coaching have become wonderful platforms for children to grow in multiple facets while schools were closed for two years. Parents who were keen on ensuring all-round learning opportunities for their children embraced the help of facilitators and enrolled their children in workshops and online camps where they learnt a number of new skills. Activities like these kept children engaged in productive ways, helped them explore their talents, make the most of their time to learn something new and keep interacting with the outside world. Teachers conducting such workshops had to get creative as their limitations too, increased during this period. They also had to recognise the need of the hour and guide children accordingly. Let’s talk to someone who conducts workshops for children to understand their best learning moments and all that they have missed in this period.

Hansa Mansukhani, Creative Writing Teacher

“As a creative writing teacher, I realised that the lockdown brought about an unprecedented amount of time to make students think wonder and put their thoughts together. My task as a facilitator took on a new dimension. I thought of helping children express their innermost fears and desires with a new skill — journaling. The art of journaling has helped children identify their emotions and has provided a constructive outlet for them to put a finger on what they are going through. Additionally, coming to terms with their emotions through written expression has helped in their coping mechanism towards these times. I have learned that when the human spirit is challenged with a predicament it finds a way out to become stronger.

What I have missed during these times is a physical, or rather personal interaction with the children which would have aided the creative process of thinking, assimilating, and reproducing their feelings but having said that, the shift towards a dynamic approach on the online platform has equipped the children to research online and develop better use of vocabulary building skills, thereby making it an independent soul searching experience for both of us in our respective spaces.”

Here we are, at the end of two years, or rather at the beginning of a new era. Let’s relive all that we used to love about school, share all that we have learnt, and make up for all that we have missed when we go #BackToSchool after two years!

Shraddha Mishra
Writer, journalist and content creator, she has worked across several publications. She takes a keen interest in travel, food and culture. A new mother, she loves talking about her parenting journey and watching her toddler play, learn and grow. When not working, you will find her watching a movie or web series, or reading a novel, chasing a good story everywhere.
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