Back in 1997, fresh with a Post Graduate degree in Education, I was preparing to step into the world of teacher training. Although the salary for my guest lecturer position at Calicut University’s Teacher Education Centre in Ollur, Thrissur, was modest—barely enough to start a family—I accepted the challenge. My father, eager for me to marry, pressed me to settle down, but I was driven by a passion to teach.
Thrissur, the cultural heart of Kerala, was a place
I’d heard so much about from my sibling, who had begun her career there in a
central government office. I was told about the unique nature of its
people—their courteous manners, their graceful interactions, and a culture that
felt different from anywhere else. When I first taught a batch of 30 student teachers—mainly
girls with just four boys—I experienced this warmth first-hand. Their deep
sense of responsibility, eagerness to learn, and respectful attitude made every
day a joy. I cherished every moment of those six months.
However, what saddened me was a recurring theme—many
of them didn’t seem to fully enjoy their jobs anymore. One teacher, now a Plus
Two lecturer, recounted an incident: a student caught for malpractice retorted,
“Teacher, be careful… I am a minor.” That moment struck a chord. We all agreed
that students from 1997 and those in 2025 seem worlds apart in attitude and
behaviour.
This realization aligned perfectly with my recent
professional engagements. This month, I was invited by Macmillan Education to
conduct sessions on “Positive Teacher Discipline” and “Making Learning Happy”
across three schools. After a session at Christ Nagar Public School in
Attingal, the principal honoured me with a felicitation and a memento—a gesture
that reinforced my belief in the importance of nurturing positive educational
environments.
In the end, whether it’s a student warning a teacher
“I am a minor,” or a teacher trying to foster joy and discipline in the
classroom, one thing remains clear: education is a journey of constant change,
demanding adaptability, understanding, and a heart full of hope.