1. A Forgotten Lesson
(Motiram Sijapati)
(It seems to have broadenedthe gap between the kith and kins
due to the ignorance in teaching, evaluating and observing the
lesson of life. It may also cause as a barrier in the domestic
relations, too)
Myriadsof lessons are being taught, assessed and evaluatedby
the teachers in different schools in order to make learners
explorative, inventiveand passionate about varioussubject
matters that may directly or indirectly assist to run the life.
The Progress is marked, graded and ranked in terms of the
mastery over language skills, aspects and objectives that the
course has pre-determined for the learners. The yardstick of
success ultimately thrives on the marks and GPA scores that an
individual scores in the examination.
The perspective to limit the students on paper and pencil test is
getting the fuel in the objectives of Curriculum Development
committee and students are strictly confined into the walls and
corridors of classroom in order to show the success to the
society which determines the fate and future of the respective
schools in that area with the provision of admission in the best
schools based on SEE or BLE results.
2. The reflection of result makes each person associated with the
institution lose or increase self esteem , respect and
stakeholders acknowledge the efforts of the teachers
organizing some recreational parties for their outstanding feat
and so do the guardians.
Teachers ' plansand preparations prior to tests and students'
burning midnight oil to get the success are judged after the
results as it is considered one of the strong elements to get
admissionsin some reputed and renowned educational
institutionsand faculties. Not only the students but the
guardiansalso seem spending a huge amount of money on
providingquality tuitionclasses to their children and feel
optimum satisfaction if their expectationscome true.
The trend to reserve the student on memorization and
stressful boring writing work is dominantinvisibly.It is also
seemingly proved that only those who can show the texts in the
correct and appropriateway get the success.
Dealing with plenty of these lessons, we teachers have almost
forgotten the underlying lesson which is to be taught by
performing, showing and generating ideal steps to the
students in order to make them copy us.
The lesson that we are forgetting to plan,the lesson that we
are not equippedwith; the lesson that the society is demanding
for a long time is on the verge of illusion.It is going to be the
3. tale of an ancient time. The lesson basicallydeals with the lives
of people, the perspective of people and ultimatelythe art of
living. The lesson is about discipline,good manners,
sociological value and norms. Many of us may think that we
are teaching this lesson in Moral Education,Garden of life, or
civic science but have We ever evaluated the results
demonstrated by the learners in terms of our value and
culture?
Have the students showed the behaviors according to the
expectation and acceptance of our culture?
The answer is against of the question. As we all find our
students neglecting social norms and values; neglecting
Eastern ethics of behaviorsand boundaries.Students have
been influencedby western culture which cannot equalizeour
Culture. The maxim of hold fast which is good is the way of
living life but this diametricallyopposed the motion. The
educationaladvancementthat western methods and
approaches brought are to be adapteddue to their positive
traits that was the aspect to be absorbed but in the same time
our values , norms and etiquettesare to be taken
simultaneouslyas they are uniqueand have been universally
accepted .
However, the threat that is pushing the young learners at the
deep ditch of confusion and chaos is ignorance towards our
4. supreme culture and assimilationof western culture
unknowingly.It seems to have broadenedthe gap between the
kith and kin due to the ignorance in teaching, evaluating and
observing the lesson of life. It may also cause as a barrier in the
domestic relations, too.
So, the value lessons to polish and shine the lives of people are
to be taught, evaluatedand revisited in order to generate the
sense in the hearts and minds of the students. The guardians,
teachers, and administrativestakeholdersshould solidify the
Policies and plansto promote our value education.We should
inculcatethe autonomousfeelings imprinted by decent
etiquettes in the classroom.
Variouslearning zones are to be examined well to ascertain the
mission of our education. The perception of limitingeducation
in degrees and diplomascompromising culture, norm and value
must be revisited. Entrance exams should determine rubrics
to test the examinee on this forgotten lesson. Continuous
Assessment system should be treated as a powerful weapon to
empower the students march forward on this path. But have
all teachers gone through this measure honestly? If not, the
moves and manners that the teachers show in front of the
students determine some extent of this lesson.
5. It is also the time to speculate and envisage the upcoming
generation having the qualificationwithoutquality. Thismay
certainly give you traumas and tears if not checked timely.
Various simple ways but possible factors to teach students
about these lessons can be includedin the dailyactivities of the
students like opening doors and writing thank you notes, being
polite and courteous to others, right use of greetings, farewell,
and apologize.
Good mannered peopleknow well that bitter truth with sweet
words can diminish the anger and anxiety. People who lack
good manners have sharp tongue. We must portrait the decent
cultural traits without getting late in order t o maintainour self
esteem and self actualization. Parents must help their kidsto
essentially practice such behaviors in everyday life. This
lesson shows the feelings of sorry, appreciationand respect to
each people.
Let's govern and guide each student in homes, schoolsand
assure the lesson that is almost forgotten to evaluateand
implement in each area.
( I am a former instructor of English Access Microscholarship
Program and coordinatorat SainikAwasiya Mahavidyalaya
Mangalgadhi, Surkhet)