As we are aware, RTE or Right to Education has been implemented in our schools. What it essentially means is that children from socially backward backgrounds get to study in private schools to get better quality education which their government schools cannot provide. Now, getting them into a private school is just the first step. It is difficult on them as they adjust to their new classmates, curriculum being taught in English and other factors.
This year, the school that my kids study in is trying out a new initiative. Something along the lines of student mentors. So my son who is in 10th grade along with his classmates has been assigned a few RTE students from the first grade to help monitor their progress and provide them individual coaching in subjects where they may be facing some difficulty.
My son who has started doing this since past week is very excited when he told us how his experience has been going. Having a 6-year-old under you gives you lessons in patience, affection and perseverance. Since these kids will be having their first exams from today, these boys and girls were coaching them half an hour every morning before their Assembly.
My son is called Anna (elder brother) affectionately, and he refers to the child as ‘my boy’. That is quite amusing to watch. Then their peers discuss ‘their kids’ with each other. While my son’s child is quite academically oriented and listens to his Anna, it is not the case with all kids (as we parents very well know 😉 ). There are kids who hide under benches, some who want to play with fidget spinners, while yet others who matter-of-fact say that they don’t want to study, in short naughty and spirited. These older kids then sweat in trying to convince the young tots to pay attention and study well. The son was saying that they are such cute kids that one does not have the heart to scold them. Welcome to parenting, I say. 😛
I personally feel that it is a great exercise by the school. I will commend them at the next PTI. This way, we help children bond better with each other. This mentorship makes older kids more responsible and cultivates in them empathy for children who may have more challenges than they do. Also, this is such a good way to help children as children do learn better from older children.
Have you come across any such initiative? What do you think about this?
Pic courtesy: By SMIRNOVA IRINA on Shutterstock
Rachna says 
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