A character-building exercise for better tomorrow
Tribune News Service
Ludhiana, October 3
Experts and Principals of different schools interacted and expressed their views on ‘Character is a must for making of Future Leaders’ during Principals’ Meet organised by The Tribune here on Wednesday.
RS Bawa, Vice-Chancellor, Chandigarh University, and Dr Simmi Waraich, a psychiatrist based in Mohali, were the chief guests. The experts dwelled on the importance of building character among students for making of leaders of tomorrow.
They pointed out that character-building was a process that had to be started early on, rather than expecting youth to change later in life. They said parents and teachers have a pivotal role in character-building of youths and thus, it was imperative that they become their role models.
Recognise uniqueness
of every child
Speaking about it, Dr Waraich emphasised the need to look at every child as an individual and help them in shaping up in their own unique ways, to flourish their innate talent and build a character.
Living each day to
the fullest
Contemplating on the need to set the meaning of success individually, she said youths should be focused on living each day more meaningfully for a better and a balanced life, rather than having a far-fetched goal that they fret about.
Reflective listening must
For character-building, it is important not only to listen to the youth, but also indulge in reflective listening, in which children are given a proper time, Dr Waraich said. Sometimes, just asking the right question and steering the conversation on the basis of this helps in finding answers, easing situations, releasing stress and clarifying things. So, it is imperative to listen attentively, she said.
Spend time with children
For parents it is important to spend some time of the day, say at least 20 minutes, when a child and parent can bond together, when children can share anything with them over a walk or a drive. Maybe, they should play a game every week for that bonding time. But this habit has to begin from childhood, rather than expecting teenagers to start sharing about their feelings to parents. She said it was very important for children to share everything, even mental pain.
Cultivate hobbies
It is important to ensure that children cultivate hobbies. Even bird watching and interest in trees can be interesting for children to get out there. “These hobbies are important to make them remain just confined to their own lives and start appreciating others’ lives, become more empathetic as well,” Dr Waraich said.
Stop obsession for marks
Parents need to stop worrying about marks and just see to it that their children become confident and develop social skills, including reflective listening and communicating well with others and deal with the ups and downs of life. Parents and teachers must help children build a positive attitude in life. Positivity self-talk and affirmations help develop a positive attitude towards life.
Indulge in social service
She said for teachers and parents it was not only important to listen to children, but do reflective listening and not be judgmental. It is important to get children and youths out there, indulge in social service and community initiatives and help them build social skills. Help children become a ‘buddy’ to someone younger and other children, who may be weak in an area, where a child is strong. So, watching over and taking responsibility to help the other child also helps in building character.
Give more responsibility
Parents in India don’t tend to give responsibility to children, but it is important to do so to make them responsible adults. In the West, parents give responsibility to children to clean their room, do their own dishes, wash the car, but here, because of spoon-feeding, they expect instant gratification. Schools should give more responsibility to every child to help inculcate that sense of being responsible, Dr Waraich said.
Inculcate universal values
RS Bawa, Vice-Chancellor, Chandigarh University, said building of a character has to be started early in life. “A child is what he is till Class XII. After that, he or she cannot be changed. So, it is important to inculcate the right values right from childhood,” he said. Rather than teaching them what is right or wrong, because these change with change in social context, teachers and parents should focus on inculcating the universal values in children.”
Help them learn to appreciate others
Children need to be made to learn to appreciate others, but instead, they are made to have a feeling of competition with their peers and others, which results in building of attitude of undue competition, jealousy and tension, he said.
Separate department for character-building
There should be a separate department in educational institutions for character-building of its youths. Character is not religion, yoga, etc., but a part of development of emotional quotient, in which they learn social and human values. RS Bawa said rather than aping the West blindly, youths should not be allowed to be totally free on their own, but rather live a disciplined life. There is a need to preempt crisis rather than doing crisis management later, he said. He said teachers have to become second parents of children, because parents solely cannot be expected to build a character of a child. “It is teachers, who can transform the society by transforming the lives of children,” he said.
Those awarded
Excellence in academics
- Senior Secondary Residential School for Meritorious Students
- BCM Senior Secondary School, Focal Point
- DAV Public School, BRS Nagar
- Kundan Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines
- Ryan International School
Outstanding contribution to education
- Kusum Lata, Government High School, Sarabha Nagar
- Dr Vandna Shahi, BCM Senior Secondary School, Basant Avenue
Outstanding community initiative
- Kundan Vidya Mandir, Civil Lines
- BVM, Kitchlu Nagar
- Blossom Convent School, Jagraon
- Government Middle School, Khattran (Khanna)
- New GMT Public School
Eco-friendly school
- BCM Senior Secondary School, Chandigarh Road
- Blossom Convent School, Jagraon
- OP Bansal Modern School, Mandi Gobindgarh
- Nankana Sahib Senior Secondary School, Isru
- Anand Isher Senior Secondary School, Chhapar
Excellence in sports
- Upadhaya Shri Phool Chander Jain School, Chandigarh Road
- OP Bansal Modern School, Mandi Gobindgarh
- Nankana Sahib Public Senior Secondary School, Isru
- DAV Public School, Pakhowal Road
- Darshan Academy
}For character-building, it is important not only to listen to a child, but also indulge in reflective listening. Sometimes, just asking the right question and steering the conversation on the basis of this helps in finding answers, easing situations, releasing stress and clarifying things. So, it is imperative to listen attentively.— Dr Simmi Waraich, a psychiatrist based in mohali
}Building of a character has to be started early in life. A child is what he is till Class XII. After that, he or she cannot be changed. So, it is important to inculcate the values right from childhood. Rather than teaching them what is right or wrong, because these change with change in social context, teachers and parents should focus on inculcating the universal values in children.—RS Bawa, vc, Chandigarh University
Principalspeak
Speaking about the event, Principals of around 80 schools who attended the meet said they would implement what was discussed during the event. Here is what a few of them had to say:
It is a good initiative. Importance of building a good character and the right attitude among children right from the beginning cannot be exaggerated.—Paramjit Kaur, principal, bcm arya model school, Shastri nagar
It was a good learning experience. These things can be implemented daily to build a good character. Children have to be taught about how to deal with emotions and stress and face ups and downs and lead a successfull life.—Gurmant Kaur Gill, principal, Guru nanak international public school, Model town
It was a good event, in which speakers shared their views about character-building and things that can be implemented in schools.—Harjit Kaur, Principal, Teja singh sutantar memorial school
It was an eye-opener and there were several points during the talk, which can be useful for laying the foundation for the sound character of a child.—Sandeep Marhatta, Gobindgarh Public School
To an extent, much is being implemented in schools. Listening to these experts was reassuring that we are on the right path.— Sangeeta Sharma, Principal, OP Bansal school, Mandi Gobindgarh
It was an inspiring and wonderful session. In fact, we will invite the experts for a session for our teachers as well.—Sister Chrispin, Sacred heart convent school, Sahnewal
One of the speakers, Dr RS Bawa, made many points which were worth imbibing at school level. It was a well-organised event.— Navita Puri, Principal, Kundan vidya mandir
