A path to student progression

“All labour that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence.” --- Martin Luther King Jr

I remember our teachers tasked us to clean the classrooms, the school premises, bring milk and make tea for them. Sometimes we even did their personal works with happiness and enthusiasm. We did the things out of respect for our teachers.

Recently a controversy erupted on social media where a child was filmed cleaning the school premises in North Kashmir. People rose in anger and spitted venom against the teachers. They didn’t stop there, but abused teachers and demanded action against the teachers. The parents later refuted the claim of forced labour and defended the work done by their ward.

The debate surrounding manual work assigned to students by teachers has sparked concerns about child labour. However, it is important to distinguish between child labour and constructive physical work. Teacher-assigned physical work is not child labour, rather, it is a valuable learning that promotes responsibility, teamwork, and skills. Child labour refers to the exploitation of children through forced labour, depriving them of their childhood and education. On the other hand, teacher-assigned physical work in schools is an educational strategy aimed at promoting holistic development. Tasks such as cleaning and gardening are intended to help students develop life skills, promote empathy and social responsibility.

Today, there is more focus on academic excellence than manual work and practical skills. However, inculcating a sense of manual work among students in schools is crucial for their overall development.

Manual work plays an important role in shaping students into responsible individuals. By assigning tasks such as cleaning classrooms and school premises, or even assisting with office work, teachers can impart a sense of discipline, responsibility, and teamwork among students.

Great men often attribute their success to the obedience of teachers and work culture inculcated in schools. Indira Gandhi though the daughter of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru was treated as common student in her school. She was made to sweep classrooms, cook her meals and do other chores. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam would often help his teachers with various tasks, including cleaning the school premises. He credited these experiences with teaching him discipline and responsibility. Mahatma Gandhi believed in the importance of manual labour. He would often engage in tasks such as cleaning and spinning cotton, which taught him the value of hard work and self-sufficiency.

Assigning manual work to students has various advantages. It teaches students the importance of taking responsibility. Working together on tasks such as cleaning school premises promotes teamwork and companionship among students. It helps students develop a sense of discipline and punctuality. As it is a sort of physical exercise, it would surely keep them physically and mentally healthy.

Engaging in manual work can boost creativity and problem-solving skills. Working with others can improve students teamwork and communication skills, essential for success in most careers. It can boost students’ confidence and self-esteem. It can play a significant role in shaping students into good human beings. It can help students develop empathy and understanding for those around them. It can teach students the importance of contributing to their community and society.

In many countries, manual work is a part of the school curriculum. In Japan, Finland, and Denmark, students are tasked with cleaning their classrooms, serving meals, and participating in school maintenance activities. These works are seen as essential to their education and character development. Parents in these countries support manual work in schools. They do not complain about it. Instead, they see it as an essential part of their child’s education.

Private as well as government teachers should assign tasks such as cleaning classrooms and school premises, or assisting with office work to students. It should be on rotational basis to ensure that students are exposed to different experiences and develop various skills. They should encourage them to participate in manual work and recognize their contributions to the school.