Physically present, mentally absent?

I try to innovate my way of teaching to avoid slumber-inducing methods that bore students.

As a high school teacher, I’ve noticed how the enthusiasm of students upon starting a new term in August quickly wanes. Before long, the realisation of how boring school is takes over and the students can be seen looking out the window, yawning, rocking their chairs and scribbling notes which are then passed around the classroom. In contrast, they seem quite eager to learn during the first few weeks of the term. The newly acquired stationery and uniforms might be a motivating factor for some, but I can tell the boredom actually stems from slumber-inducing ways of teaching.

I try to innovate even though the success rate is often frustratingly low. Slight innovations, such as using popular teenage figures to discuss celebrities in the digital age, make it more interesting for students to grasp the pros and cons of say, internet, for example. But it’s a steep climb. Sometimes there is either little room to innovate in a subject, or what the teacher may think would be exciting becomes the driving force behind eyelids shutting.

Since a large number of private schools are actually housed in buildings not meant to serve as schools, the classrooms may be haphazardly arranged with little ventilation. This lack of fresh air serves as another sedative. Even students who say they’ve had a good night’s sleep can’t help but yawn. And when they do have the advantage of looking out of a window, the black- or whiteboard is a forgotten sight. Schools operating from buildings meant for houses or offices should be altered to ensure there are enough windows for better ventilation. This, however, is no long-term solution. The only way to boost a child’s physical and mental health is to provide adequate outdoor sports and recreation facilities.

State-run schools are in dire need of much more. But if private schools are considered to be the epitome of modern education in this country, they must provide what they promise to offer. At present, there is more gloss and less substance. The grades are attributed to private tutors outside school and good behaviour to parents — schools then appear to be little more than money-minting businesses.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 6^th, 2013.