*note: these are personal experiences of the author in the Indian context.
The Corona times have seen many positives and negatives and would continue to do so for some more months to come. But the one thing that has a stark effect on every family with children in schools, is the classroom. The real estate of a school moved to a BOX. And voila suddenly the resistant teacher and the resistant student had to see each other on a screen.
This was and is a drastic behavioral change for both. And there is a third party to this game; THE PARENT. The parent who was a consumer all this while is now getting to see “exactly” what is going on in the class. The feedback system has suddenly evoked higher responsibility on the school front to “ratify” the teacher. This aspect of “Student as a Consumer”, was quite neglected at a large scale in the Indian Education System.
And for the STUDENT AS A CONSUMER, just like that, suddenly -the whole world has witnessed this reality. “Classroom as a service”. And teachers as products are being now rated by parents, whether you like it or not.
Here are a few things that I feel will change in the education system.
ONE. The Tuition Master is going to become extinct from the education system
TWO. The Teacher will be compelled to educate now, and not just teach. And this is a big leap for the student.
THREE. The Student will no longer be able to complain and the daily homework will be done in time.
FOUR. The School will have to make sure that the quality of the teacher is good.
FIVE. The Parent can no longer abstain from focusing on the child’s review.
I am personally witnessing this change in both my 4-year-old and the 11-year-old daughters’ lives. And it’s phenomenal. The benefits of homeschooling with a complete eco-system supporting the child. It was unheard of.
Photo by August de Richelieu from Pexels
In this whole picture launching a new school becomes so challenging. And here are a few things new schools should look at. Some basic principles of positioning your school.
ONE – Real estate doesn’t matter anymore. Your Teacher is your “real” asset now.
TWO – Student is only a medium and the real consumer, the Parent can now “assess” your quality. Keep that in mind.
THREE – The gratification on either side is going to be immediate. No compromise will be seen.
FOUR – Vocational studies will become a choice and a value-added service/ thanks to the slow death of extra tuition; students will have time.
FIVE – With real estate being out; the education system will be compelled to innovate to appeal well to consumers.
In conclusion, Thank you Corona for bringing the responsibility of students back to the parents.