makes me wonder

Hey

Ya my DTC oriented blogs are back. I chose not to discuss the agony I went through on Wednesday when I got stuck in the jam because of the rains, and got stuck for more than 4.5 hours. So basically readers who were expecting to get a chance to derive sadist pleasure- sorry!

What I am going to write about today is, about the school children I see every morning getting onto and off a DTC bus. They are typically govt school children, and for obvious reasons. They are students of all age groups—3rd std-12th std.

The 4rd std students are well dresses, their hair neatly tied up, and uniform smartly tucked in. it cannot be ignored that there uniforms have lost their sheen, and brightness. Their shoes are unkempt and their bags torn. Often their books are visible through the torn bags and one can see torn corners if the eyes are strained. The 12th std guys are more of the peculiar kinds. Their hair is unkempt, their uniforms worn shabbily. The white uniforms are on their way to turning into black and the area around the pockets is covered with a layer of black stains. The shoes are layered with dust and the bags are hung around the shoulders casually. They are often abusing and calling each other names. They would run behind the bus and hang from its doors even if theres enough space inside. They move around in bunches, often shouting with earphones hanging from their ears.

The purpose of study seems to be far from the plan, and the agenda seems to comprise only of bunking and not studying.

This makes me wonder..what has led to such an attitude? Even we were in school once upon a time, and though even our agenda often comprised of not studying, we were never as shabby as they are.

Is It because of the family background? Well, it might be an important reason but it can’t be the only reason. If parents are negligent about how their child is going to the school, it’s very obvious. My father never allowed dirty shoes to office. My mom never tolerated loosely tied hair. Amongst these kids that I observe during the morning hours, I do find kids who are well dressed despite similar constraints. So attitude of the parents does seem to be quite important!

Also, the teachers’ reaction would count into it. My teachers at school never showed patience towards eyes full of kajal. 2 pairs of earrings were often the reason of confiscation by the cabinet, and untidy uniforms took us directly to the Prinicipal! Such was the strictness at my school, which is purely lacking in the Govt Schools. Teachers are often perceived to be seen as indifferent people, who don’t really bother about attendance, performance or cleanliness.

In my view the causes and the results are interrelated, and it becomes difficult to establish one way route between cause and effect. But it just makes me wonder..