That Rabindranath Tagore too had flunked his school is a part of folklore now
It is unfortunate that nearly 125 students of different standards have flunked their exams in Tagore Academy school and many of them were issued TC by the school management. A school that has a ‘Tagore’ in its name should have been a little more suave and gentle in dealing with ‘failure’ and ‘children’.
That the famed poet Rabindranath Tagore too had flunked his school must be a part of folklore now.
That his failure in a class in some school never impeded his talent or performance in life needs no reiteration.
And thank god no one asked him to switch to a Bangla Medium School. Otherwise, he would have been forced to learn to speak, read and write Bangla!
Rabindranath Tagore would have recommended that failing a student in school or academic performance was not an effective way of teaching or learning.
Education should be about nurturing and guiding students to achieve their full potential, rather than punishing them for their shortcomings.
Tagore believed that every child had unique talents and abilities, and that it was the responsibility of teachers to identify and develop these talents.
He would have surely argued that a student’s academic performance should not be the only measure of his or her potential or worth, and that teachers should focus on creating a nurturing and supportive environment that encourages students to learn and grow.
Failing or detaining a student can be detrimental to his or her overall growth and development. It can lead to feelings of inadequacy, demotivation, and a lack of confidence. It can also lead to a negative attitude towards school, teachers, and the education system in general.
This, in turn, could lead to a student dropping out of school, which is a grave loss for the student, his or her family, and society.
Moreover, failing or detaining a student does not take into account the reasons for poor academic performance. It may not necessarily be due to a lack of effort or ability.
A student’s poor performance could be attributed to external factors such as a lack of resources, poor teaching quality, or even personal issues such as mental health concerns, family problems, or financial difficulties.
Therefore, punishing a student for poor academic performance is not a fair reflection of their capabilities or potential.
Instead of failing or detaining students, schools should focus on providing additional support and resources to help students improve their academic performance. Teachers can provide extra classes, mentoring, or tutoring sessions to help struggling students catch up with their peers.
Failing or detaining a student is not a solution to poor academic performance. It can have negative consequences for the student’s mental health, confidence, and future prospects.
It is good that the school and the parents have come to an understanding. That the children still have a chance to get out of this unsavoury situation gives hope that everything would work out in children’s favour.
And that is what matters the most.
