'Teachers can make or mar a student'

Addressing the educational conference and honouring ceremony of the meritorious students of II PUC and the heads of the institutions with 100 per cent results, organised by DK District Pre-University College Principals’ Association at St Raymond’s PU College in Vamanjoor on Thursday, Pushparaj cited example of Albert Einstein and Charles Shobhraj and said that Charles Shobraj’s IQ level is said to be about 136 while Einstein’s IQ level was 135. Yet, Shobraj became a notorious criminal while Einstein became a scientist.
“Einstein had good teachers to guide him but Shobraj did not,” he said and added that if one looks at the history of all those people who had chosen wrong path in life, one common thing among them will be bad school, college and family history.

He said that parents as well as teachers have great role in shaping the future of the children. “Parents should not impose their views, opinions and wishes on the child. The child must be provided with conducive learning environment and to decide the field in which he/she wants to make a career,” he said and added that teachers and parents have to first assess the areas in which the interest of the child lies and the child must be allowed to grow in that area. “Don’t check which subject has scope, check in which subject your child has interest,” he said. He observed that there is a need for a teacher to know the learning nature of each of the student, viz., some students are good listeners (Auditory), some grasp through writings (visual) and some are hyperactive students who have problem in concentrating on a subject for long (kinesthetic). Teaching method must be evolved accordingly. Assistant Provincial Superior of Mangalore Province and St Raymonds Institions Correspondent Sr Christella B S, Association Vice-President Sr Cicilia Mendonca, Secretary P P Joseph, President K S Ramesh, Joint Secretary Ismail and others were present at the programme.