An exam day
Fathima Binsiya M
It was a hot Monday in Vijayawada. As usual, I had the Monday blues about getting ready and going to school. Since the second progression test was about to begin, teachers had to arrive at school by 8:45 am. After reaching the school, I collected the question papers from the reception and walked towards 5 Beta, where I had exam duty. I’m also their class teacher.

It was their maths exam. A wave of emotions hit me while walking into the 5th grade classroom as an exam invigilator. I remembered how we used to write exams. I recalled the teachers who invigilated our exams. We would usually be happy if we knew certain teachers were coming. As I sat in the exam hall, I wondered what my children were thinking – were they happy or sad to have me there?
It was now 09:50 am.
I collected their answer sheets and submitted them at the reception. While returning to class, someone said, “Ma’am, Mokshada is crying.” It wasn’t unusual to hear such things, so without much surprise, I went to the class. I asked Mokshada, “What happened, dear?” One of her friends replied, “Ma’am, ask the others to go back to their seats. Mokshada will only tell you.” My curiosity grew. I took her outside the classroom, held her close, and asked, “Tell me, why are you crying?”
She said, wiping her tears, “Ma’am… my grandfather was a mathematics teacher. I promised him that I would score full marks in mathematics every time. Last time, for formative assessment 2, I scored 15 out of 15. This time, I’m sure I’ll get 20 out of 20…”
Even more curious now, I asked,, “Then, what’s the problem?”
“But ma’am… this time I don’t have my grandfather to share the news with.”
She started weeping again. I paused for a moment, thinking about how to console her. I pulled her closer and gently patted her head. “Even though you can’t share the news with him, he will still know it,” I said. “So, do your best.”
Meanwhile, my mind was also racing with thoughts about how I should tell my grandmother and mother-in-law that I am now a teacher.
The author is an educator from Malappuram, Kerala. Currently, she is working as a teacher of Global Perspectives at Aimee International School in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. She can be reached at mfbinsiya1@gmail.com.