“What is that?” A teacher learns
Geetha Iyer
It all started in the late 80s when I joined Apeejay School Noida. Located at Sector 16A, in the 80s it was a quiet place despite being next to the highway. The school itself was new and barely five years old, therefore without much greenery. In contrast, the environs of the school were quite green. Close by was the Yamuna river. One could get out of the school, cross the road and climb the bund to access the river bank. Needless to say, this meant that birds, bees, butterflies and others were quite active. Being a biology teacher, “What is that” was a question that my students constantly bombarded me with. I could not be more grateful to them for they were instrumental in kick-starting my interest and knowledge about biodiversity that I possess today.
The school principal was a person who encouraged outdoor activities. I was someone who loved the outdoors. So soon a nature club was established. Children from upper primary, secondary and higher secondary joined. The enthusiastic chorus “what is that” only got louder. Some joined to get out of classrooms; some because their friends did; many with genuine interest in nature; others looked at it as picnic time. There was one thing that was common to all of us though. None knew what those birds, bees and other creatures that we saw were. The teacher and learner were bound by a common thread of ignorance. So the children felt comfortable. I was quite worried in the beginning and hoped that the kids would stay, when I answer their “what is that” with an “I don’t know, let me find out”. They did. They made fun of my ignorance, and laughing with them was fun; it was a happy time as we began to learn about the creatures that were in and around the school. The Dolphin Nature Club (as christened by the children) helped me become a better biology teacher; it helped me gain insights into children’s behaviour and responses.
Those were times when one could not access information as easily as is possible today. Even resource persons were very few. I learned that I did not have to always find answers and my role was to pose a series of questions that made them think and come up with solutions. So together we discovered the institution – The World-Wildlife fund. Mr Thomas, its director, was quite an enthusiastic gentleman who agreed to visit the school and talk to the children. He helped us learn about doves, drongos, coucals and cuckoos. I can still recall the thrill of being able to put a name to the bird that we had been seeing almost every day – our “kaboothar” was finally identified correctly as spotted dove. Soon we learned to differentiate spotted dove from other doves like the little dove (now called laughing dove) and red turtle dove.
Nature Club was only once a week. But Mr Thomas had kindled the dormant curiosity so much that if there was a free period, I would get requests for a walk outdoors. With the principal who never denied permission for such requests, the walk would often get extended to the bund and beyond. Come October and a visit to the river bank was a must. The migratory ducks in huge numbers were a treat to the eye.
The enthusiasm to learn was infectious. Exploring new horizons we decided to visit the Natural History Museum. Dr Nair, the director of the museum, met us and patiently responded to the questions posed by the students. The museum opened new vistas of knowledge. Excited by what we had learned we planned to share it through an assembly presentation. Little did we realize what the visit would lead to. Seeing the children’s enthusiasm and knowledge, we were given a small grant by the Ministry of Environment and Forests to conduct an awareness programme for schools. This was again a new experience for me. So the children and I sat together to chart out a plan. Our Librarian, Mrs Shalini Swaroop – a very knowledgeable lady- was roped in to help. Several rounds of discussions and finally approval from the Principal resulted in an Interschool Multimedia competition, with a rolling trophy for the winning school. The programme consisted of nature-based quiz, debate and painting competition. All leading schools were invited.
The learning for me as a teacher was enormous. Most important was to become aware of the extent of the negative side of competition. A harmonious group began to break up into small factions; arguments and discord set in. By then they had taught me a lot and it was my turn to ask them the same question – What is that? Why? I learned a great deal about how to manage the situation without blaming any of them. I consider my students at Apeejay School as my most important teachers for they had unknowingly prepared me for my future stint at a residential school.
Every stage of the planning and execution was a learning for me. What began with a simple question – “What is that” led to experiences that have till today remained guiding beacons when doubts plague me.
Ye kya hai?
While children and the outdoor activities presented me with one kind of learning, another valuable facet came up during the execution of the curriculum. I joined Apeejay school in the month of January when their first batch of class 10 was to appear for the board exam in March. Their teacher having left suddenly, I was given quite some unfinished work. One of it was practical work that had to be completed. As I opened the chemistry lab I was reminded of the film Madhumati. Cobwebs all over and empty bottles of all sizes with layers of dust and sinister coloured granules and liquids welcomed me. My request for a lab assistant was rewarded with an attender – a tall, lanky young man from the nearby village called Mangeram. His experience of science was limited to milking cows for a living. I decided that someone was better than no one and took him to the lab. He looked around and then asked me, “Ye kya hai madam ji?”
Thus began my journey into setting up the lab and at the same time training a doodhwalla to become a lab assistant so that the students could finish their practical work in chemistry on time and well enough to take an exam in two months. What a time it was! A biology teacher and a doodhwalla together set up a chemistry lab in a way that neither of us imagined possible. This was the time when I learned something, no B.Ed course or in-service training had ever taught me. Learning is a process that is well within the grasp of every single individual, no matter what the background. If the process is right, learning will flow. Mangeram, whose education was an 8th std pass, who had milked cows all his life till he stepped into the lab with me, soon became a most efficient lab assistant. Chemistry teachers know the amount of knowledge and precision needed to prepare the innumerable chemicals so that children of secondary and higher secondary classes can perform their practicals. That Mangeram soon learned to use the physical balance, know about molar volume, be able to titrate and learn to read what was in English language, should serve as an example to all those who categorize children who take time to learn in the classroom as incapable of learning. Patience and affection, systematic explanations and the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them are essential tools for education. Mangeram taught me how to teach, help those children who struggled to learn.
My journey is not over. Among my current students is a teenager full of existential questions as she birdwatches with me. When the migratory flamingoes fly in changing formations, she pops the question, “Why is that Geetha aunty?” Why, I too begin to wonder!
The author is a consultant for science and environment education. She is the author of two books on insects. She can be reached at scopsowl@gmail.com.
