Joy 'n' experience as an Admission Test Incharge

Early in the morning, its a nice view of little children coming to school, holding the hands of their parents. But if its the case of a new school, new friends, new teachers imagine what would be the attitude of the little one.

As ours was a multinational school, we had students from various countries, irrespective of caste, creed or religion. It was a wonderful experience as I got an opportunity to know the culture of various other countries.

Let's start with the admission procedure. To be precise, it is one of the most wonderful task. It is like we getting prepared to meet the little ones. When we meet the little children, some of them are happy to meet us with a smile while some scream at the top of their voice.

Yes, when this little ones come to the school for the firsr time, they are entitled to go through an admission test. Little ones, I meant class 1 & 2. You have a bench mark to qualify for the admission test.

Do you know how we welcome them? Either by showing and giving them balloons or variety of choclates are displayed so that they prefer one of their choice. Some children hold on to their parents hands tightly so that we don't take them. Some are almost to tears while some hold on. Some are happy-go-lucky. A cute scenario, in short.

Being in charge of the Admission Test was not an easy job. It was my duty to get the question papers from the the subject heads, type them and finally, submission to the respective subject heads for final rectification. Any error, Iam held responsible.

Just one month before re-opening of the new academic year the preparation for Admission test starts. An advertisement regarding admission is placed in all the leading national newspaper.

Basically, admission tests start from grade 1 to 10. So its divided into primary (class 1 -5), secondary (class 6- 8), Higher secondary (9 & 10), Senior secondary (class 11). This is how it goes. Its difficult to handle grade 1 & 2 students. We have to be with them.

Two or more teachers will assist me depending on the strength of the students. The children from 1 to 5 are seated in one classroom and 6 to 10 in another room.

Apart from being a non-teaching staff I enjoyed my job as an admission test in-charge thoroughly. I can assure you that I was committed 100% towards my job. Not to say,I had wonderful experience with some students.

One such was an admission towards grade 11. A beautiful girl who was adamant in writing. She took the question paper and just kept it aside. I asked her if she was not prepared she remained silent. The time duration of the question paper for the higher grades was 2 hours. Half-hour past there was not a movement from her. Again I approached her but still she was adamant and remained silent.

I lost my control. I took the question paper for which she broke down literally. She was weeping very badly. I was shocked as to why a grown up girl should weep on getting a question paper. I felt sorry for her. Firstly I asked her to calm down and asked her what was the problem. Then after a 5 minute silence she told me that her parents are separated and presently she is with her father and step mother.

She hugged me saying she wanted to go back to her mother who is in another country working as a nurse. I had no words to comfort her. My mind went blank because my own daughter was studying in grade 11 of this same school.

Finally I took the courage to speak to her. I just asked her to study well, get a good job and to take care of her mother. But for that she jas to wait patiently for some years. As I was working in the same school, I assured her any help if need arises. I think these words of mine made her peaceful. So she went on to complete the exam and scored very well mark, which led to her admission to grade 11.

I still remember on the day of farewell, just before the final exams ro begin of grade 12, she came to me along with my daughter, who was her classmate then and requested to take a photo along with her. After taking the photo ahe hugged me and said "I will never forget you Mam". That was so touching and a memorable moment, which I could remember in a life time.

Now she is married and a happy girl. In our different walks of life we get to meet lot of peoples from whom we learn something that we cannot forgot in life. No matter how much younger they are to you. The lesson I learnt was how much pain the children from broken family are suffering. Hope the parents give up and go forward for the happiness of the family.

Thanks for your time for reading my article.

Images captured from my mobile.