By Teacher – Trisha Banerjee

Candy is childhood, the best and bright moments you wish could have lasted forever.
Childhood has always been the most beautiful phase of my life. I still miss being a child, attending the school and sharing a strong bond of friendship. Recollection of all such memories struck when I was teaching the poem ‘Childhood’ by Markus Natten, to the Std 11 students. Here the poet believes that though his childhood has become a memory for him, it has become a reality for some other child. While I was teaching them I could see a similar expression on their face. The academic stress they face has taken away the most beautiful phase from their life- childhood. The stress to perform and mental distress regarding anticipated academic challenges or failure or even the fear of the possibility of academic failure has taken away their joy and vivacity. Those carefree faces that once dreamt and had high aspirations are now under some constant uncertainty whether they will be able to make their future as bright as they had dreamt of.
As teachers it is our duty to motivate the students to always have something to look forward to everyday and it doesn’t always have to be something big. It is our responsibility to make them understand their academic capabilities, what is expected from them and try not to have unreasonable expectations. We shape their future and we should make them realize their own potential which will in turn help to channelize their endeavors in the right direction. It’s our duty to make them see how beautiful life is and how happy one can be if one wants to be!
Trisha Banerjee
Secondary Teacher
Akshara International School