Marks Matter

So, apparently ‘everyone knows’ Einstein flunked Maths in high school. Thus, every time we fail, Einstein becomes the saviour! But, here is a thing; Einstein never flunked Maths. In his own words, he had mastered differential and integral calculus before he was 15. He only failed once and that was an entrance examination that was given in French and at 11 he did not know much of the language. Now, this is not about Einstein, you can always Google him as I did for all this information,this is about failures. There is no shame in failing but there is plenty of it if one gets cosy with the idea and stops trying. Thus whenever you place Einstein on pedestal and present him as an exemplary failure to the young, do not forget to tell them that the key feature of Einstein’s personality is not that he failed but the plausible truth, that he never stopped. Researchers of leading universities believe that Einstein showed signs of Asperger’s as a child but, if true, even that did not stop him from becoming the most brilliant scientist ever.  He has contributed to the world of science and philosophy like no one else, and should therefore be always talked about to persuade the weak to work harder and to never give up. Among his many path breaking researches, the theory of relativity remains the most astounding and the most favourite. What is relativity? Later.

2016 was a tough year in Kashmir. No words can describe the pain we all endured. Every time I think of the summer that it was, my heart goes out to the families that lost their young innocent children and to those who have a dark life ahead. May God cure all our wounds. Ameen. Of many tragedies that spread-out on our people in 2016, the losses caused to students have been of serious concern to all. Children did not attend school for five months in 2016 and the damage it did to their academic and personal development is irreparable. In spite of all of this, the students of Class 10^th and Class 12^th appeared in their board examinations as per the schedule set by the Govt. and the department.

 It is a new year already and it actually snowed this Chillai Kalan. Salud! Seems like a good beginning. The next event after snowfall that has brought ear to ear smiles to frozen faces is the result of Class 10^th. Most of the students have done exceptionally well and their score is baffling. While the ritual of mubarakbaadi has begun on ground, the social media is abuzz with the debates. The one taking up all the space on our timelines is ‘marks shaming’. Of all the years, this year? Everyone seems to have scored above 80% so there should not be any marks shaming but if it is, must be debated and discouraged. Those who haven’t scored well need support and a boost so that in future they perform better.  It is heart-warming to see erudite young people write odes to those who have had disappointing results but I have a problem with the ‘marks don’t matter’ part. Because, marks do matter. Merit is the only thing some people have to make it big in life. You see, everyone is not born a scion of a powerful business house. Now don’t get me wrong, big businesses are a backbone of our economy and it takes a lot of hard work to build a business. I am only speaking for the middle-class students who will have to figure it out on their own. 

Speaking of the theory of relativity again thus; Einstein would find it so hard to explain the theory to common people that if stopped in the middle of a road by someone curious, he would excuse himself by saying, ‘Oh! Many people say I look like Einstein.’ But the genius he was, asides gifting General Relativity and Special Relativity to physicists, he came up with a version for laymen too.

‘’Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour and it seems like a minute. That’s relativity.”

Our opinions are shaped by our circumstances. Have an opinion but don’t force it on others, not at all on those who have contrasting situations to deal with as compared to yours.

I teach and I don’t think I have ever scolded a child bitterly, howsoever out of line. I try to talk and as a result I have had quite friendly relationships with most of my students. It is important for a teacher to understand the psyche of every child in his classroom. Yes, I have seen students who score very well but don’t really know much. Yes, I have seen students who score poorly but have knowledge more than what is expected. I always encourage the latter and appreciate their intellect. But, an exception is only an exception and should not be drawn into a generalisation. On a general basis, students need to be face to face with reality and reality is not always governed by the philosophical clichés. Philosophies should inspire but they should not blind us to the levels of deception. I take days off my timetable and on such days instead of discussing chemistry, I and my children talk about life. Quite often, we talk about the importance of  sound mental health and I try my best to see a smile on every child’s face but for that I would never tell them, marks are not important. If I do, I will be lying. Yes, a child should not burden himself with something beyond his capacity. Yes, there is much more to life asides sciences and algebra. Yes, a child should have the strength to stand up every time he falls, he should be equipped to handle the pressures of life. So, unburden him, teach him as many life-skills as you can, equip him well but don’t lie to him.

Last year, on one of the No-Chemistry days, I talked to my girls about their future plans. A bubbly girl immediately got up from her seat and said, “Mujhe Malaysia jaana hai for MBBS”. Sorted in the early days of her class 11^th!  I hope and pray she is able to live her dream, I wish her well and I will be very happy to see her as a doctor because she is a bright child and will do well in her profession. In fact, I know many doctors who paid ridiculous amounts to have a degree and they are doing really well in their field. But the point is they needed money to prove their mettle to the world and they were fortunate to have that amount of money. As much as I want to see this student of mine in an apron wearing a stethoscope around her neck, I will never call such a student to the dais and present her as an example to a classroom where 80% students belong to middle class and BPL families. Because, those students need to work hard and they need to score well. For them, marks matter because that’s how they will be eligible for higher education and later, a job. That is the only way they will have it sorted. That is what we call reality. So, 'marks don't matter' is a good mantra to uplift those who need to hold themselves together right now, in fact it is perfect to bring the smile and the spirit back but please make sure the mantra doesn't keep them deluded. Always help a child stand up if he falls but do not forget to push him hard so that he starts to run again.

 In your surroundings, if someone has scored really well, give him a hug. For some it is always an uphill journey, appreciate them for their first upward step.

Talking of relativity again, today morning, I woke up abruptly because a group of girls, probably back from their tuition centre, was very very loud and they were all literally screaming outside;

‘Hamara kya hoga next year?’

‘Jisko dekho uskay 96% hai.’

‘Competition badta haina!’

Lamentations. Of those who are matric pass already and those who have yet to cross the milestone. Always relative!

P.S :-  Debates and arguments are a symbol of a conscious and responsive society. Keep debating.