Over time, standards have fallen. As a minority institution, burdened by quotas, it has become a sad reminder of what it once was, a premium institution in the capital, where one and all studied with distinction. This terrible tragedy of a young 16 year-old boy, taking his own life, is a time for introspection, to analyse how the school needs to come out of this stranglehold, regain its old glory. Is it time for the alumni to step in, offer themselves with higher governance and standards. We need a new standard, that initiates a going back to its earlier days of glory.
It was terrible news splashed across the newspapers. A 16-year-old boy gave up his life, unable to stand to relentless pressure on him, from four staffers of a public school of repute. As accounts poured in, it appeared this had been happening over time. The boy’s parents had been summoned more than once, the boy had been promised by his parents that he would be taken out of school by the end of the ongoing session. But that was not to be, it was too late. What was the pressure about? That he was under-performing. Well, many students do, some of them fail. Not all pass. In my time, one had to leave school if one plugged twice in the same class. So, that should not have been unusual; not every student tops, as then there would be only mediocrity.
As I write this, the Delhi Police is investigating. Students quoted in the media have hinted at fear of being singled out, should they criticise the staff or the school. Some reports have also suggested threats to students to stay off from challenging the system.
As for me, a product of the same school, only some 60 years ago, it brings memories of students being singled out, then, just as much. Most of these cases, we then thought, adding 2 plus 2, were aimed at getting tuitions. When hints were taken, all was good to go; when not, they kept being singled out. A few of them, I remain in touch with them even now, being good friends over decades. Overall, there was fear of the rod, we called it ‘cane’ and ‘caning’ was not unheard of. A few of the teachers were especially known for their craving to get the stick out of their locker room – one of them, was known to take out a bunch of keys from his pocket, and that was the signal, we all dreaded, these keys were of his locker. For all the strictness, we had standards that were the best in town, or nation-wide. Ours was a premier school in the country.
Over the years, standards as this institution, dwindled. Like my son went to the same school and was often left disenchanted. A few years ago, when we had to look for a school for my grandson, my alma mater was not even remotely on the radar. What a fall, indeed, for once the primer institutions in the capital. The Gandhi boys studied here for some time; the Shastri boys finished school here. Sons of defence chiefs, the big-time government servants sent their wards here. I suspect they don’t anymore. Both things have happened – the school lost its sheen while newer institutions came up with higher standards.
The news of the recent tragedy has brought a fresh focus on fallen standards, perhaps a need for introspection. Who will bring this about, is the moot question? It is a minority run institution, so it remains a closed-door governance. While standards fall, these cannot be questioned. But even as this is a sad and trying time for the school, can it become a rallying point as well? Equally, should this life-sacrificing moment in its history be just white washed from our memory, simply wished away? Or, can we look upon this moment, as a sacrifice that brought some good, remember a young life that did not get snuffed in vain? Should the staff and school introspect, and that too for the betterment of the institution? Was this a stand-alone incident at school? From every account it appears such do happen, only that this time, it went out of control.
Over recent times, in last few decades, in fact, this subject has often been taken up by the alumni. Too much concentration among a community, run almost to serve one community interest. That was bad enough, as the school had served a much higher purpose over years – of imparting quality education to all deserving boys in the city, with a small reserved quota for the community. It was the city’s best for several years running. It can continue its dwindled march, into the future as well, or can this tragedy serve as a new dose of oxygen into its vital lungs.
Regardless, the current matter of concern, the untimely death of a young and promising life – it does not matter how good he was in his studies, his friends recalled him as a great guy – cannot be just lost in time. The tragedy is being investigated, as per media reports – how deep is this practice of harassment in school, how entrenched was this case that the boy took that extreme and tragic step. Will the authorities allow a free investigation? Or, would there be attempts to gloss over the facts, pressure students not to air their stories with threats going ahead? While the investigation is going on, efforts should be made to ensure a free and fair probe?
A best-case situation, should an interim collective of eminent alumni be roped in, to oversee and help in this investigation. Not easy to do, though ideal, so that the school as an institution comes out of any blame. Given that there is nothing to hide, how best if the ownership on its own took this extreme step, of inviting the alumni, distancing itself from day-to-day governance, with regard to this investigation.
It might mark a turning point in the school history, when standards begin to look up, again. A wake-up call, at this most tragic incident, that pains the entire student community. From a missionary school, has it become a single community school? Will we need a new balance between the two, again? Who can bring this about? The school itself and its owning body!
Given the pedigree of the school, and its alumni, it should not take too difficult to turn the clock back. Some of the alumni have launched national and internationally reputed brands and businesses, runs governments and higher education institutions, they trace their learning to the school, would be eager to giving it back, restore the school’s eminence again.
-From the batch of 1966, St. Columba’s School
