I spoke to some parents over the recent PTM about their children's very poor performance in their exams, so poor to the point that they did not meet the most elementary passing criteria to advance to the next level. It's quite sad actually, to witness these youths not living anywhere near their potential.
To make the best of the conversations, I thought that I will make it as emotionally charged for the receiving end as possible, hoping that the pupils and parents will feel the emotional weight and the grim implications of the printed numbers. I wanted the pupils to realise that not only have they not live up to their expectations, they have basically forgotten who they are and what they can achieve. 8 people broke down during the conversations, both parents and pupils.
Not wanting anyone to go away feeling totally dejected and helpless, an injection of hope was made about the positive possibilities ahead when the pupils faithfully complete their holiday bridging programme, that their last chance at making it good awaits on their decision to do this well. Everyone was relieved and encouraged upon knowing about the opportunity. Hope is a very important driving force.
We are really in a people's business, and communication is crucial. My recent interest in NLP made me realise that there are so many things we can reap from this in the context of education, and there are so many things which we can equip ourselves in communication that will allow us to do our jobs more effectively.
A quote from a Polish mathematician and philospher - Alfred Korzybski, in the beginning pages of my first NLP book which I bought for my holiday reading.
"The map is not the territory."
I am already intrigued.
