The year gone by

“No problem can withstand the assault of sustained thinking.”
— Voltaire

What a year it has been! 

Just as we were excited and at the same time battling the jitters of going into a new school year, we landed up in an uncharted territory. Locked-up in our homes, we faced a grim reality. 

It is well known that adaptability is the simple secret of survival. It is the greatest asset to have because life is so unpredictable. The overnight transformation of our school from taking physical classes to virtual classes was an astounding feat. The willingness of the entire school community to learn and adjust to the new normal, helped us sail through these unusual times. We embraced new experiences, surprised ourselves at every step and managed to move seamlessly to online instruction.

It is said that it is not the strongest or the most intelligent who survive but those who can best manage change. The digital transformation had its own share of ups and downs but we managed to hold on. The humongous tasks of conducting classes, assessments, investiture ceremony, Annual day, our inter-school fest- Merutsav and guest lectures virtually, were met with initial hiccups and challenges but we emerged victorious in the end. We were overwhelmed with the support of our teaching and learning community. Some students without reliable internet access and technology struggled to participate in digital learning, but with the help of a strong technology team, we faced all the challenges head-on.

From the point of view of all the stakeholders, the learning in the past one year was a great example of collaboration, resilience and perseverance. Students learnt to be more responsible and disciplined. With learning being remote and parents working from home, our young learners took responsibility for their own learning. 

Teachers learnt to go with the flow and worked hard to build up on their technical knowledge.  It was so good to see teachers and students inter-changing roles at times. The students took up the responsibility of helping the teachers with any technical hurdles and teachers patiently learnt from them. 

Our parent community took on active roles at home to ensure the learning continues. They pitched in whenever the need arose, as they got a first-hand glimpse of the work involved in overseeing a child’s education. They remained our biggest support, even though they had to simultaneously juggle their professional and household responsibilities.

It is true that genuine, reciprocal and trusting relationships are the foundation on which educators and families can overcome any obstacles. The Meru community has proved it time and again. The year gone by is definitely the quintessence of the same!

By:
Ms. Anushree
Content Developer- English
MERU International School