Ian Theodore Myers - Less Importance On Marks, Greater Independent Work Among Students Is Important (Principal of the Frank Anthony Public School, Kolkata)

I have served and continue to serve on the Boards of Managing Committees of various Educational Institutions. I had the good fortune of serving on the Society of the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations, where I served on the Standing Committee and was an Inspector for Schools that had applied for Affiliation.

1. Tell us about your background and choice of profession?

My early schooling was at Loyola School, Jamshedpur where I was greatly influenced by the Jesuit Priests and my Teachers. It was this influence that caused me to decide that I wanted to be nothing else but a Teacher. I had Teachers who were caring, dedicated, and committed and gave each of us that special attention that made us feel special.

2. Your journey, experience, and achievements as an Educator and outside of your profession?

My years as a Teacher Trainee at Mount Hermon College of Education, Darjeeling, gave me the necessary tools which I needed as a Teacher. The thorough and professional training that I received has stood me in good stead throughout my years as a Teacher and Educator.

I began my teaching profession at FAPS, Kolkata, my alma mater, and continued in this position for 11 years. I then had a short stint in St. Thomas’ Boys School, Khidderpore, and then accepted the challenge of a Senior Master (Vice-Principal) at St. Paul’s School, Darjeeling.

This great experience exposed me to a new world of the Public School system. I then accepted the post of Founder Principal of Himalayan Academy in Jalpaiguri. It was only the attraction of coming back to my alma mater as Principal that I left The Himalayan Academy after serving it for 2 ½ years.

The past 22 years spent at FAPs, Kolkata have been an enriching experience for me. Not just as an educationist but as an active member of my community The All-India Anglo-Indian Association and as a social worker. I have been involved in various capacities with Organizations like The East India Charitable Trust and the Teachers’ Centre.

3. What changes have you witnessed in teaching methodologies during your time as a teacher and as Principal of the school?

As a Teacher, a lot of emphasis was on theory, academic work, and rigid disciplinary rules. Today, methods have changed. Technology has entered the classroom. Discipline has become a very flexible tool and the outside world influences every aspect of the classroom.

Corporal punishment which was a part of school life when I began teaching, is not applicable now and even illegal. Sadly enough, discipline among students has seen a decline and the respect and regard students had for their teachers is not as strong as it was when I began by teaching career.

As a Principal today, one is almost like a ringmaster of a circus dealing with a wide range of responsibilities from responding to government circulars, and dealing with legal matters to labour issues and child rights. Satisfying parents’ ambitions and needs is also a big challenge today.

4. How can we adopt technology to make teaching more effective?

The Smart class can be used only as a tool and can never substitute the Teacher. While technology has its advantages in providing information and facts at the press of a button, it is only the Teacher who can inculcate values of respect, care for the downtrodden, compassion, and discipline. These can never be inculcated through technology.

5. How would you instill and ensure mental/psychological awareness in the school considering the fragile minds of this generation?

Caring sensitive teachers, a close working relationship between the parents and the school, opportunities for students to express themselves, and the availability of trained counselors to meet children regularly are what is needed.

6. As an educator and administrator what change would you like to bring about to the system?

Less importance on marks and grades, greater independent work among students, less dependency on rote learning and technology, and a great sense of social awareness.

7. Why does India need more educators like you?

I’m not sure what you mean by ‘educators like me’ but I guess we need team leaders who can take the entire school community along. Many of us have been living in the comfort of our own homes and cocoon school environments- We need to move out of that and help the needy and poor and make a difference in society.

Interviewed By - Abigail Beaucasin