PTA –in real spirit

I have somehow missed this post .Its been there in my draft for so long. rather its going to almost a year now!!

I happened to be part of a different type of parents –teachers meeting in Ayakudi - a small village near Tenkasi, Down south of Tamilnadu.

As part of Subramanya Trust run my Mr.Ramakrishnan Sir, this is mainly concentrating on trying to improve the education standards of the children of the neighbourhood of Ayakudi. Ramakrishnan Sir had called all the parents of the students associated with the tuition center (on a late evening). In spite of his physically challenged condition, he made sure he was present for the meeting. Actually, only 50% of the parents had turned up for the meeting. The teachers of the tuition centers were all studying in colleges and doing this as a part-time work for a small amount of stipend for the same!

The children were not from a single school. They were studying in different schools in the neighbourhood. He remembered every single child’s name and called them out one by one. He told the child’s parent on their educational progress and their regularity in attending tuition. It was very much an unbiased opinion and straight to the face! As my father had conducted free personality development training programs for those children during our 4 day trip, we 3 of us were also invited by Ramakrishnann Sir. (something like a chief guest ;)). I was suddently asked by Ramakrishnan Sir to say something to those students & parents group! I was pleasantly surprised and was speechless! I just spoke few words to wish them to study well!!

My memory went back to the parents teachers meeting in my school. I had studied in SPIC township, Tuticorin till my secondary school. As it was a township, we mostly knew all our classmates family as well. It’s a fanfare event for the parents to meet the teachers in our school. Many aunties would come with newly bought sarees and jewellery for such meetings. They will try to use high language and try to talk for long with the teacher. It would be partially about their child and more of general gossip.