(N Nagarajan)
Recently, I read a blog “Why Make Examinations Larger-Than-Life-Events?” by a Clinical psychologist. When we enter a working career do realize our marks/division has little or no value and has nothing to do with the work we do. If I look at myself, honestly I did not like examinations or tests during my school days. In class1 to 3, I took tests and examinations casually with no preparation as I was not good at memorizing the answers whether it was what was called a “monthly” test, quarterly, half-yearly or annual examination. When I moved to class IV, slowly from casualness I turned nervous, as the class teacher was not only strict but his punishments for poor marks were a real nightmare. Apart from hitting with a scale, he kept a pencil in between two fingers and also used fingernails to give injections. The nervousness did affect me as I could not even casually write whatever answer I know in my own words. After every monthly test, I used to pray he should take leave or should not bring the corrected answer sheet. Somehow, I managed to move to the next class and also went to a different branch of the same school where I completed my 6th Class to return to the same branch upon shifting to the government house allotted to my father. The impact of 5 5th class was slowly fading in classes 7 and 8. While in these two classes despite nervousness I was able to do better in English, Hindi, and Social studies examinations. On those days based on marks obtained the students were grouped in Science, Arts, and Commerce. Only those who scored good marks in Mathematics and science were given the option to choose whichever group they want, all others had only Commerce and arts groups. In IX class, I opted commerce group as loathed memorizing the answers, I always message to get average marks. It was in 10th Class when friends started talking about the future, I slowly got into the mode of preparing seriously for examinations. I completed my 11th class I turned out to be an average student and completed my graduation in Commerce from a reputed college affiliated with Delhi University where now the cut-off has touched 100%.
It was a strange coincidence that during my publishing career,I was given the responsibility of establishing the Examination Division of our company for delivery of English language examinations developed by a reputed University in Hyderabad in 1999. In the same division from 2004 until 2016 was given the responsibility to deliver spoken English examinations which ceased to exist to business restructuring as foreign collaborators made stiff demands. Even now I wonder whether the examination is a “larger-than-life” event and feel sad when I get to read news of students taking their own lives under pressure. It is no surprise that PM has taken the responsibility of giving tips to students on how to face examinations. It is indeed a shrewd way to connect with future voters.
However, examination continues to test the endurance power of students even on average after taking nearly 36 examinations and other small tests. Even after the examination and test continues to haunt from college admission to examination/test for jobs. One hopes that Maa Saraswathi gives more strength to face the spate of examinations in another two-three months.
