A Star Student

Sandhya looked through the classroom window to see Kannan walking up the steps. Her face lit up with a sweet smile which did not reach her brown eyes. Her eyes looking at the approaching Kannan still remained sad and thoughtful. Her mind raced through the past year she had been working at Shishu Academy. This was her first year working as an English Teacher at this prestigious Academy School and Sandhya loved her job. She loved to teach and was given the 8th standard to teach English. It took her some time to adjust to the school and the expectations from the principal and management. Sandhya being a gold medal student herself adapted to teaching very quickly. However she could not adapt as quickly to the difference in her students. Most students were from wellto do affluent families except for a very few like Kannan who were from a middle class family. Kannan could study at the good school because of a part academic scholarship he had received and his family managed to provide the rest of the tuition fees for his studies.
Sandhya found it difficult to accept that most of the students did not take the studies as seriously as they ought to. Kannan was one of the exceptions. She marvelled at Kannan's enthusiasm and his love for learning. She earnestly wished all her students were more like Kannan. It was becoming difficult sometimes to teach when all the students were not as keen to learn the subject. StillSandhya had a job to do. She soon realised that she had to view this as a job and not as a personal mission in life. She had to just teach and not expect anything in return . It should not matter if most of her students did not care for the subject or did not put in the required effort to study or to work harder.
The school year was coming to an end. Sandhya had lots of tasks to complete and her mind turned to the task of correcting the papers at hand.
Still her mind lingered on Kannan's situation. Kannan had to leave school at the end of the school year. His family could not support his continuing at the school. The scholarship he received was to change as Kannan went into the 9th standard. And Kannan's family could not afford to supplement the balance in tuition money. Sandhya felt very sad when she first heardof this. She felt sad that such a deserving student could not get the education he deserved. Instead there were so many of the other kids who would still continue to get the education though they did not much care for it. Well that seems to be the way of life.
Still immersed in thoughts Sandhya failed to notice Kannan had come up to stand in front of her. "Good Morning Madam' said Kannan , his eyes smiling too. He seemed to have accepted the turn of events with greater equanimity than she had. "Good Morning Kannan" said Sandhya with a tinge of visible sadness lining her voice. "Madam I have good news I would like to share with you" said Kannan his voice sounding eager.
"What is it Kannan" asked Sandhya. "Madam I will be going to Adarsh Vidyalaya for the 9th grade" said Kannan with a pleasing smile and attitude. Sandhya had heard of that school. Though not in the same league as the Shishu Academy the Vidyalaya was not very bad either. Sandhya still wished that such a talented student as Kannan should have got a better deal at studies but she cheered herself for Kannan's sake. She wanted to show the same enthusiasm as he had looking forward in life and she prayer fervently he would succeed in the new school and will be able to go one of the best Colleges in the City.
"That is very good news Kannan. I am really happy for you. I am proud you are able to see the best that life has to offer and make the most of it". Kannan responded with his usual bright smile and moved forward to take his seat in the class, his eyes reflecting his hope that he held for his bright future. Sandhya sent a silent prayer wishing him the very best and got on with her work.

Another star status one from you AC..
It is true but sad to see those bright students don't have enough money to move on in life...but there is always hope and hardwork pays...at last even some get donations to continue..I do pray for those people whom I come across in the news..to have a bright future...

Those who have money take it for granted and later realise their mistakes for not taking education seriously....

sriniketan

Dear Bhargavi
very well said.. thanks for your kind words:)

Dear AC,

A real marvellous one !

It is a irony in life the best students do not get much assistance and the not so interested are highly placed.

Good one AC. Keep more coming...........

Very nicely written and so true in many households. Atleast I am happy Kannan still will continue his education - there is always some luck for hard work and true aspirations.

Regards,
Priya

Kannan is indeed a super star .What we feel as an irony didnt seem the same to Kannan. If we are ready to face the challenges in life, life wont be an irony . These hardships will make him more fit to live in this world ...

Many of my friends who have taken a teaching job in the self financed colleges have gone through similar situations of Sandhya......

All the very best to Sandhya and Kannan.......

Dear AC,
An excellent piece from you.Very true that Star students are binded by poverty and does not get financial aid at the most wanted times...

Good Work!

Thank you friends.. your kind words do mean a lot to me:) Glad you all liked it!

Dear AC...
A very Good story.. A CONFIDENT boy too.. And one more thing Chitra.... I think Students who really have the intention to Study well and come up in life... can study anywhere in any school.... hope god blesses them....
Very Nicely written .

love
brindha..

Hi Anandchitra
Superb one and so true those who have money they kids don't want to study and those who don't have are so eager to study, that they adjust anywhere they get a chance to student.
Kannan is indeed a star student.