Modi's message to teachers: Listen, learn, find a path to success

There has never been any doubt that the prime minister is a skilled orator with a knack for connecting with his audience and his interaction with children arranged to mark the occasion of Teachers' Day was no different. He skilfully navigated the conversation to create a few nudges for the education sector without directly taking the issues head on. Speaking to children on Teachers’ Day was a clear signal that the performance of the children reflects on the teacher. Neatly sidestepping the conversation on teacher accountability, this was a loud and clear signal that teacher competence, effort and achievement was measurable only through the performance of the students. It was a very timely message as the focus shifts from universalisation of education to delivering quality education. While student learning outcomes are a composite of many factors, improvement in learning outcomes and demonstration of the skills learnt are clearly to the credit of the teacher and the schooling system.

Assessments too received indirect yet clear attention with a wide range of achievements of students being showcased - a chef, sportsperson, mountaineer and of course, few academic achievers. For each, it was the range of their achievements that was more important than a single outcome. Indeed, it was the diverse range of assessment opportunities available to these students that allowed them to shine - hopefully, this works as a signal to the New Education Policy. A system where assessments compete amongst themselves to offer both excellence and choice is significantly better than a single narrow channel to success as a student.

Social entrepreneurship too received some attention though a discussion on waste management and the flagship Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. While the cleanliness campaign probably needs a fillip, the interesting takeaway was the engagement of students in social causes while acknowledging that small efforts like these add up to serve the nation. What was unsaid was that small efforts remain isolated and a stronger nudge to create a platform to share and replicate successful projects would not have gone amiss. The call for action-based research is the need of the hour, as is a better understanding of what happens in the learning process. There was little room for that here.

There were a couple of moments that probably revealed some of the challenges of great power when the girl who scaled Mt Everest - the youngest ever to do so - was asked by the prime minister whether it was lonely at the top. The next question was even more revealing: "Do your friends treat you the same way now that you have climbed to the top?" Among the various moments when personal connect, care and engagement with students was being demonstrated, this was probably the most personal - and poignant. Moments like these bind a teacher and student in the journey of education - and crafted or instinctive - this was a demo lesson for teachers. Teachers, of course, must design these moments to stimulate outcomes, responses and choices for the students' success, and the best teachers always build it into their classroom interactions.

Success, and its manifestations were also revealing. While many of the students admitted to be under pressure to succeed, the response to questions about success were almost a challenge to the education system. While the recommendation to view success sans a time limitation, to view failure as a learning opportunity and rise again were excellent life lessons to students, it raised the bar for educators. There is no recipe for success, nor should there be one - I paraphrase it as I heard it. It resonated well, but then to seek to extend it from personal advice to scaled systems is pretty challenging. The sad truth is that many students today prepare for unimaginative examinations in a formulaic manner and achieve scholastic success which often is a totally inadequate education for life. To seek success on one's own terms, to build on one’s strengths and to avail of another chance for success after learning from failure needs teachers and assessors to raise their game substantially. Education then needs to move away from efficiency goals that are emphasised by those who understand the challenges of scale and universalisation and move towards a greater choice, multiple opportunities and layered pathways with many entry and exit points.

This is a massive ask of a system that is so very set in its old ways, often sceptical and cynical. Listening to the students gives one hope that things will change, and each individual will be given a chance to shine. The grand ceremony of sharing the stories of the shining stars creates aspiration, and indeed ambition. The journey starts here - but from ambition to determination and then onwards - there is much work to be done. The messages of the day go out not only to the students who were addressed, but to educators too: they too need to listen, learn and find a path to success.