Sweet are the uses of adversity; Which, like a toad, ugly and venomous, Wears yet a precious jewel in his head
— William Shakespeare (1564-1616), English dramatic poet in As You Like It
In Karnataka, students logged in for online classes on June 1, 2020, without any tom-tom. Educational change or reforms are discussed endlessly with committees and commissions submitting bulky reports which are discussed often ending in appointing yet another committee or commission. Against this background, wading headlong into online classes is little short of a miracle. Who is behind this miracle? Before we answer that question, a bit of background and focus on the change involved is in order.
On May 30, even as the centre announced that a decision on reopening of educational institutions will be taken in July, many private schools have launched a plan of action centred on online classes with students sitting in their homes duly supervised by parents or, in their non-availability, a third-person arranged by them. Some schools have opted out of parental spot supervision. The students are expected to be dressed in school uniforms. Some schools have opted out of the school dress-code. However, students are directed not to be on their beds.
“Procrastination is one of the most common and deadliest of diseases and its toll on success and happiness is heavy,” said Wayne Gretzky (b 1961), who has been nicknamed ‘The Great One’ and has been called ‘the greatest hockey player ever’. The Coronavirus ended the procrastination regime in the vibrant private educational sector.
But the greatest fallout of the virus is a quiet arrangement between Karnataka and Goa in respect to helping each other in the school education matters. Corona restricted inter-state movements. In the case of Karnataka and Goa, many issues like sharing water, building new dams, migrants from Karnataka in Goa mar the relations between the two. But, in the context of inter-state/territory travel restrictions, a less publicised arrangement allows Goan students in the south to take exams in the adjoining Karnataka district of North Kanara and students from north of Karwar, to take exams in the southern town of Cankona in South Goa. All this happened without any tom-tom.
This is a subject about action forced under Corona damage and threat and puts an end to our tendency to procrastinate, to grab TA and other perquisites that go with the endless committee/commission meetings.
