By Santosh Digal

Mumbai: Sister Zarina Joseph, principal of a prestigious school in Mumbai, warns that Indians will be less sought after in the West in less than a decade unless their country rectifies its educational system.

Mass promotion policy, deteriorating classroom discipline and aping the West without proper investment are seriously threatening India’s future generation, says the member of the Carmelite Sisters of St. Teresa (CSST) and current principal of Duruelo Convent School in Bandra, Mumbai.

The nun, who began her teaching career 19 years ago at a remote village school in the eastern Indian state of Odisha, also modern technological advances challenging the profession.

“Yes, education has changed and advanced,” she says. Information explosion and gadget-driven education have brought attitudinal changes among students that keep teachers on toes.

The native of Vypin island in Kerala recently shared with Santosh Digal, Special Correspondent of Matters India, about her life and mission and views on modern education.

Matters India: Tell us about your background.

Sister Zarina: I hail from Vypin Island, on the fringe of Fort Kochi, Kerala. I grew up in an ordinary middle class family amid rural simplicity and gentleness. I did my schooling from Little Flower Convent High School in Njarakal [another Kochi suburb]. I did my bachelor’s degree from Berhampur University, Odisha, and masters from Mumbai University. I did my professional studies at Mahatma Gandhi University, Kerala. I began teaching at Carmel Convent School, Phulbani, Odisha, in 1998. I took over as the principal of this school in 2012.

Why did you choose to become a teacher?

From my childhood I wanted to become a teacher. What a noble profession it is to mold children into great individuals and to work for the all-round development of an individual. It is only through education we can bring changes in society, in our attitudes, behavior, and outlook on life and promote tolerance and brotherhood among people.

My inspiration came from Sr. Benedict CMC [Congregation of Mother Carmel], who taught us moral science in the school. It’s through her that I felt God’s invitation to follow Him, when I was in the eighth grade. She taught us how to concentrate and meditate even amid noise, to do a good deed every day and make sacrifice for those deprived of opportunities. I wanted follow her example of living God and His people. Her simplicity and gentleness attracted me.

What helped you become a responsible citizen?

As a child I was a simple girl. My father was an ardent and devout Catholic who wanted his children educated in a Catholic school. As a result we had to travel long distances to reach school. To complete my schooling I had to change three schools.

I recall a session on ‘Meditation and Contemplation” that Sister Benedict conducted when I was in the eighth grade. We had to concentrate on the figure of Jesus on a crucifix. Our school was near a busy and noisy road. I could concentrate on the crucifix amid loud noises of vehicles and people shouting. That experience proved a turning point in my life.

Gradually the desire to become a nun grew in me. I spent long time in silence and learnt to lead a simple life. Whatever I do, I do it from my heart. What is entrusted to me, I try to do it cheerfully.

Do you see any changes in in the education you received and what is imparted now?

The basics have not changed: class rooms, teachers, students, books, paper all remain the same. But from the dress code to technology, everything else has changed. Discipline was certainly different during my student days that what is today. Parents were less involved in education in our time. Our parents respected and trusted teachers’ opinions more than their modern counterparts. Students in our time were more innocent in many ways. This was most probably because we had little access to television, movies, and technologies compared to modern students.

The classroom now looks quite different to the one in 1998 when I started teaching. There were no computers or internet then. Smart boards and smart classrooms were unheard of then. Yes, education has changed and advanced.

How have these changes affected students?

First of all, modern student’s life at home is more unstable than in the past. That makes a big difference in the education system. Accessibility to education is one of the main advantages of modern world. In the past, education was only for the wealthy. The poor and girls were neglected. Today we encourage every child whether boy or a girl to reach their full potential.

In the past we didn’t have many choices as students now have. When we don’t have a choice, life seems less complicated, but restricted. When we have freedom to choose, we feel independent, powerful, in control and liberated. That’s what the present generation enjoys. They have a variety of opportunities. However, too many options are also a problem. When one has to choose from a hundred options, one gets restless, preoccupied and frustrated.

So, how do we help these children? Offer them career counseling?

I have been principal for years, yet I realize there is so much that I do not know about various career opportunities. Career counseling sessions and career modules will help us guide our children, I am sure. I see parents and children coming forward to know their future studies and career counseling helps them from deviating from their goal.

Do you think our standard of education hall falling today?

In our days a student was evaluated only on the basis of his or her academic performance. If one is intellectually smart he or she could climb the ladder of success. An average student was treated as an ordinary person even if he or she possessed great talents in co-curricular activities or sports. Today the outlook has changed.

The system now gives due attention to children with other talents. Social media sites have also helped. We see reality shows, dance competitions, sports events and cookery shows where people can exhibit their talents and excel.

At the same, the academic system as such is going down; the standard of education has fallen drastically. The syllabus has been diluted. We don’t give much importance to examination. We want to imitate the systems of the West, but it’s a failure because our student-teacher ratio is worse. We have overcrowded classroom unlike in the West. The new system in the country has brought down classroom discipline.

Several studies have shown that our college graduates are unemployable. What do you say?

Every student dreams of getting good grades in school but few strive for it. Others seem disinterested. The ‘Mass Promotion Policy’ [allows students to reach eighth grade without detention] has lowered the educational system. So the graduates who pass out are not eligible for any post.

Of course we hear of Indians winning laurels abroad. They are the generations who received proper education. I fear in less than a decade Indians will be less sought after by the West, unless we wake up and rectify the system and improve the quality of our educational system.

How does the social media explosion affecting students?

Social Networking Communities are here to stay. There is no doubt students are actively engaged in online communities. It has increased the rate and quality of collaboration for students in the following ways:
a) Development of Career building.
b) Familiarity with the computers and other electronic devices help students build skills that will aid them throughout their lives
c) Greater amount of sharing of information, uploading videos, pictures etc.
d) It has created a platform to interact with the people of other countries and regions.
e) Of course it helps us to learn the ethnic groups, cultures and traditions where we are unable to be physically present.
f) A global village phenomena is created.

Social media also has negative impact on students. In particular it has reduced learning and research capabilities. They rely more on the information accessible easily on these social networking sites. Students, who multitask or those getting involved in activities on social media sites while studying, lose their focus of attention. This reduced their academic performance and concentration on study as well. It has also reduced their command over language usage and creative writing skills. Time wastage results in securing low grades.

Excessive use of these sites affects mental as well as physical health.

To overcome these hurdles one needs to strike a balance. Excessive use of it will damage our social life, family life, student life. So set aside all the work and spend quality time with your family, friends and for yourself. Self study and creative thinking is to be cultivated.

Finally, any message for our readers?

It is good to remember the axiom: ‘Winners don’t do different things. They do things differently.’ To reach your goal, strike a balance in life. Set a time for everything. Remember to evaluate daily your activity before you go to bed. Maintain a journal. Spend quality time in prayer. This will set everything in place. You will enjoy peace of mind. Wish you all the best for your future.