As the Centre gives a go ahead, at least 7 States are gearing up to welcome high school students – Grades 9 to 12 back to campus with all the social distancing, sanitation protocols in place. Considered the ‘business end’ of life for a student’s academic journey before University transition, the grades culminate into those ‘all-important’ mark-sheets that become important documents of ‘achievement’ and with that logic, ushering the older students into a face to face world appears to be extremely crucial for administrators and even parents, and let’s be fair some children much rather discuss doubts in person than virtually, and because these students are more independent and mature, social distancing norms can be exercised more efficiently. ‘Safer’ participants as a starting point than the younger children, is the rationale.
So far so good you would think. Except, the Centre and the States have categorically stated that the consent of the parent is important, and no one can be forced if they are uncomfortable to attend physical school. Which means the option to be ‘home-schooled’ on line must be there.
On paper, this seems like a perfect proposition- no force, everyone has a choice and everyone has a right to a decision.
Except, imagine the plight of a teachers managing physical classroom students and those in the virtual space. How does the teacher navigate this efficiently?
There’s been a clear admission by all that physical world teaching learning and virtual world require different skill sets, including managing complexity and also ensuring that students remain on task in both platforms requires a different kind of handling. The split with some in physical class and some in virtual classrooms synchronously will definitely put a strain on the teachers who will have to double up, extend their time and effort as they are expected to answer queries round the clock …. and also monitor two platforms.
My worry when I read reports of what is happening in other countries and cities around the world is that teachers are exhausted and finding it very challenging to be productive with limited time on hand. There are demands of their time, like never before and teachers have expressed their own disappointment as they know they are not able to attend to every query like they would be able to with one single platform.
Are we even thinking about the teachers??
‘Paper perfect’ suggestions need to be tested and I am eagerly awaiting the feedback as Punjab is all set to start from October 19th. There must be lessons that can give us strategies and experiences that we can analyse to ensure that the teachers are able to optimise and are not stretched and that students get the best possible support that is also sustainable.
With all the hue and cry about fees, I would be intrigued to know which way the Courts would rule – ‘discounted’ for online while paying full fee for physical classes? Now this will be an interesting development to track, and yet I urge everyone to spare a thought for the teachers who are being tossed between the parental expectations and government directives for the management.
Many parents that I have spoken to, are simply not keen to send the children to school yet. And continue to have expectations of high quality education at ‘discounted’ rates.
Personally, while these are challenging times for all, and I do recognise families have undergone financial challenges, but so have managements and with them the teachers. Hope this move to unlockdown does not land up yet again in Courts!
Dialog between managements and schools is important, and not roping in local politicians to intervene.
Again, in all this I still worry about the mental health of the teacher, and their ability to cope with this new normal that is expected of them!
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Fatema Agarkar, Founder , Agarkar Centre of Excellence (ACE)
Veteran of 3 educational start-ups , now Founder of the Agarkar Centre of Excellence, Fatema’s passion for teaching-learning and children defines the different roles she has crafted in 20 years – as an edupreneur, educator and mentor.
Fatema who is a State and University topper as part of the prestigious Mumbai based Sydenham College of Commerce & Economics, holds a degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Birmingham (UK), apart from her B.ED and ECCE degrees amassed when she decided education was her calling. Having kick-started her career in the corporate world and working with premier organizations like Commerzbank, Times of India and Egon Zehnder International, she always had an inner urge to bring about an enhancement in the sphere of education..
As an educationist and life-long learner, she has come a long way to intertwine modern methods of learning, teaching and customizing education as per the student’s intellectual requisites thus eradicating stress that stems from the education system. She has been sedulous in making comprehensive alterations in the education field in India. Being a risk-taker, Fatema has been focusing on the generation of innovative educational modules and her in-depth academic know-how, nothing but truly defines her ceaseless passion. Her name is synonymous with successful education models of the country and she is adjudged as Education World’s top 50 Educators in the year 2020. Adding more feathers to her hat, she has also been the recipient of several prestigious awards for her outstanding contribution to the field of education in the years 2013 and 2015.
Fatema has been awarded by Giants Group for her outstanding contribution to the field of education in 2012, the Young Achiever’s Award in the year 2017, Singapore based, Best of Asia’s, ‘Enterprising Educator in the year 2018 and as an entrepreneur ‘Best Edupreneur 2019 and Best Leadership’ by Progressive Academic Excellence India (Maharashtra 2019) and one of the 10th finest inspirational educators in 2019 by TKR, India . Her name is synonymous with successful education models of the country and she is adjudged as Education World’s top 50 Educators in the year 2020. Adding more feathers to her hat With close to 2 decades of experience in education, Fatema is the recipient of several honours including the Indian Achiever’s Award 2021. In July 2023, Fatema was also awarded the ‘Mumbai’s top Women Leader’ award by the CMO Asia National Awards’ (10th edition). Fatema is also a Jury Member for Cambridge School Recognition Awards 2025.
Having being associated with leading high school brands like DRS International, Hyderabad, NSS Hill Spring International, Mumbai, The Gera School, Goa, D Y Patil High School, Talegaon (Pune), SVM, Ratnagiri by the Gadre family, The Excellere World School, Gurgaon, JBCN International Schools, Mumbai, Fatema has now close to 40 pre-schools and high schools that she has set up from the grassroot level including a school for special needs’.
Fatema is on the Advisory Board of several Trusts including EduTech India, Wockhardft Foundation as well as a jury member, Education World Awards, a platform that recognizes the efforts of educators pan India. Fatema is also the Vice President for Early Childhood Association (ECA) and the Mumbai Territory Head for Association for Primary Education & Research (APER) in India. Fatema has been appointed as the global ambassador of the Commonwealth Entrepreneurs Club. . Fatema is on the advisory board of the All-India Gaming Federation (AIGF) and currently appointed as the National Council Member for Financial Literacy & Management by WICCI. Given her access to parents and her ability to provide age appropriate strategies to enable them to make more informed choices, Fatema’s passion remains counselling in the hope that effective parenting will enable children to benefit the most.
Fatema is also the special advisor of the Child Chapter Association (CCA), a non-governmental organisation registered as a Section 8. company under the Companies Act, 2013 whose mission is to spread awareness and eliminate child abuse, including child sexual abuse. Her role as a special advisor of CCA includes providing advice and guidance for their special outreach programs for Schools and teachers that tap into the child psyche and help them raise their voice against abuse. Fatema also played an instrumental role in the development of the CCA comic books and characters for their global campaign for child abuse awareness and prevention.
Currently, Fatema is the Advisor & Mentor to Finland International School, Race Course and on course to start her own school in 2026. As a TedX speaker, and a avid blogger, Fatema is passionate about sharing her knowledge amassed and inspiring stakeholders be it teachers, parents or students.
Her vision includes set up up of Soup Kitchens, Foster Homes and a community centre for the elderly under the Agarkar Foundation in time.
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