A Different Story

This is a story of a different kind of lesson, not only of being a better English teacher and because of my proficiency in English being appointed Head of the Primary school but a lesson of human values, of behaviour and attitude of repercussions of suffering caused in the classroom and of a crime and punishment or good and reward, which follows us later in life, in this very world.

One day, in the year 1980 on a bright sunny morning but with a dark and heavy heart mind and soul I just stepped out of the house with the high seriousness of thought 'Today I will do something ..something other than cooking and cleaning and all that..' Determined I started walking with firm steps and steady stride, my head covered with the long and broad 'dupatta'lest some  male cast an evil eye on me all alone, unprotected girl in the society now famous for'honour killing'..but I was a revolutionary brave daring educationist and I knew what I was looking for..very soon my eyes caught sight of a banner hanging high across the road 'Science Foundation school' admissions open' wow now what's that? I turned the corner of the road and following the indications of another banner I reached the green gate of the advertised school.I was let in. I have come to see this school' welcome' A smartly dressed gentleman smilingly politely welcomed me and started showing me around the rooms. There was a lot of science equipment books furniture charts but NO Students or teachers!!!'I want to teach'well send in an application and we will call you for an interview. Two weeks later I was given the KG class and I was wholeheartedly enjoying myself teaching A B C...and singing with the children.

My daughter was admitted to the Prep class but everyday she would cry' I dont want to go' This worried me.

My work in KG was highly appreciated and since the school still did not have any Head I was given the additional charge. With this new responsibility I started observing the Prep class..and was horrified to find the teacher nursing her 2 month old baby in the classroom, while teaching English her pronunciation was not correct , she was adding that extra schwa sound 'h a t- hat a' As the Head I called the lady and guided her. A few days later there was some commotion in her class. On investigating I found my daughters face swollen as if she had been slapped, she would not stop crying.'She does not know her lesson and is not giving the right answers' well.....did the teacher slap my daughter in revenge of my checking her English? From that day I was extremely cautious lest my own child would suffer more. The teachers baby continued to be in the class on special permission by the management.

My daughter stayed in the school but I submitted my resignation and soon the school closed for summer vacations and all was quiet and calm.

One day hardly three weeks past, the bell rang loudly.

Who is it?

To my great surprise it was my daughters teacher at the gate.

'Please come in and well how are you'

the lady came inside the room and immediately there were tears in her eyes

'If only I had not upset you so much in school this would not have happened'

What has happened please please, it is all forgotten and I have no hard feelings' I said;

'NO NO you must forgive me and I have come to you all the way looking for your house and I must hear you say so...

well I have nothing in my heart pray what happened....

'well I lost my baby...he died, God took him away from me'.

OH OH

How ..er..what…I was disturbed…….

The maid had taken him to the nearby railway station to show him the train, she often did that perhaps she went too close to the carriage that day,  while walking she tripped on her shawl and fell and the baby hit his head on the side of the train and lost consciousness. we rushed him to the hospital ..but he ...never revived...now I want you to please forgive me, so that my mind may get some peace.'

NO please there is nothing , and as I was trying to sort out the whole story she got up and started moving towards the door'I go now and...that was the last I saw of her.

Only the Great Power knows the truth but if one is a teacher then pride jealousy and revenge are not the qualities one should exhibit or allow to rule in the class and affect the students. I believe it is sheer ignorance that causes such incidents. We need more professional training and guidance. Language helps us to understand each other better.

Anjum Wasim Dar