Primary school bells to start ringing again today

Seeing the kids settle themselves before their computers for online class with a listless ‘Present Ma’am’ revived memories of the loud synchronised ‘good morning, teacher’ from the whole class in unison in own schooldays. This coordination was on show not only in wishing teachers, but also in punishments and even during assembly for a condolence.

It now appears incomprehensible how and why, did a smile begin somewhere following the command to stand in attention for two minutes, turn into a giggle and travelled row to row till someone burst into laughter. It was inexplicable spontaneity.

Schooldays were fun, with friendships, games, pranks and bonding with teachers in spite of the rap on knuckles from them for transgressions, but that didn’t lessen any respect for them. Those friendships, bonding stood the test of time and lasted long.

The fun began as soon as we stepped out of home for school. Games like ‘raja-mantri-chor-sipahi’, antakshari, pushing the rickshaw on steep incline and never-ending chats were hallmarks of the rickshaw-ride to school.

Cycling to school was coming of age and gave a sense of freedom. We raced against each other, rode double (even triple at times) and lent a hand or money if someone’s cycle developed a snag. Help was always at hand during uniform inspection if one forgot to wear a belt or tie. As one slipped to the end of the queue, the item would reach just in time from someone who got checked by then.

The bonding was so strong that the threat of mass punishment always failed in eliciting the name of a prankster if the mischief was discovered.

Pilfering food from others’ lunch boxes brought divine finger-licking experience. None cared for the goodies in their own tiffin, the taste buds yearned for delicacies of others.

Schooldays are more or less the same for all, but for some minor differences, until the academic session that began in April 2020, when the ‘monitor’ was not of class but of desktop, and pens, copies became redundant. The discipline went for a toss and snoozing in class lost its charm. School uniforms and classrooms are great levellers, online classes aren’t. Besides, the availability of laptop, smartphone and internet connectivity at home gave an undue peak into uncharted aspects of a child's life.

Matthew Arnold’s lines: ‘In the sea of life enisled… We mortal millions live alone’ reverberate on seeing the keyboard-monitor education. It can create automatons but cannot inculcate life-skills and develop a child into a mature adult. Schools make us realise we are social animals with traits of empathy and sense of community. We unconsciously learn teamwork while playing or making a project. Resolving a fight during break teaches conflict resolution skills. The fellowships help us sail the crests and troughs of life.

Thankfully, the schools are opening by and by to welcome back the students, and this generation shall also grow with its own memories.

The writer is an officer in UP Education Services