With the ongoing final examinations of students at the International Indian school in Dammam (IISD), including the crucial 10th and 12th grades, Indian homes have been turned into “battle grounds” between parents and children. Disputes over how much time should be spent on books and how much on entertainment rage. “There is a long, tough road ahead of the kids,” says Sheila, a mother who insists that her children should study as much as possible...and then some more. “With so much competition in education, there is no way they can afford to waste time on play and entertainment. Back home, the entrance tests to get into professional fields are so competitive, children just have to be the best.” India's future civil servants, doctors, engineers, software professionals as well as candidates for the university system and premier schools have a tough school life. Failure to meet expectations – broadly classified as getting into the conventional fields of Engineering, Medicine and Law – will brand them as failures, not to mention the dreadful loss of family pride involved. “If you want to get into a good career, it is important to study”, says Myra Martis, Supervisor at the New World International School where over 1,600 students of various nationalities are enrolled. “[But] studies should be planned in a manner that allows kids to have a break to have fun and enjoy.” Not all parents share the view that their children should spend time on anything other than on books, especially during examination period. “Marks play a pivotal role in getting ahead,” says one parent of a 10th grade student. Not many kids can afford to underperform, but it is necessary for parents to determine the extent to which their child can realistically perform. “Parents' expectations should be in line with the capacity of their child,” says Swati, a parent. “It is up to the parents to assess their child's aptitude and interest”. More often than not parents are found passing on their own anxiety to their child, hounding them with questions about their preparation. “It is like forcing your own aspirations on him/her.” Children should be given the right to liberty,” writes one Indian student on his blog. A child's interests should be explored and he/she should be led in that direction rather than punishing him/her for not scoring good marks in school. “If a child feels that these are the hours I need to study for my tests, then parents should oblige, provided of course that the child has lived up to his/ her goals in the past,” says a parent. According to Dr. Bindu Kapoo, a consultant child psychologist, the best way is to encourage children to have regular study habits and perform up to their potential. “When the child is facing exams, adopting a realistic approach and helping the child to deliver his/her best helps more than threats or orders.” Not many parents readily agree with that view, but those who do can point to the 2007 Indian film, ‘Taare Zameen Par' (Stars on Earth) for support. The brainchild of Actor/ Director Aamir Khan, the film very beautifully showcases how an imaginative teacher with his unique style of teaching helps to garner the interest of an eight-year-old dyslexic child in reading, writing and mathematics. Previously branded a loser for his poor grades and inclination towards the world of art and nature – colors, fish, dogs and kites, he improves his grades not only in his subjects but also is a topper in the painting competition. __
