Why Every Student Deserves to Be Seen and Heard

- SHRIYADITA YADAV, XII D

“Every child is a different flower, and together they make this world a beautiful garden.” I am sure many of us have come across this quote at some point. It sounds pleasant, and we all claim to agree with it. But the question is – do we really see this in practice?

When a child is sent to school, they don’t just enter with a backpack or a water bottle, they also carry the hopes and aspirations of their family – the hope that when the child, after 12 years in a school, enters the wider world, would be able to build their own unique life.

This hope, however, is crushed the minute children are put against each other like they are in a wrestling ring, instead of a classroom. When a school environment fails to acknowledge the voices that aren’t loud enough or hands that aren't raised as tall as others', they don't just fail to acknowledge a child; they fail to acknowledge uniqueness, perspectives, and ideas.

And so, I'm here to show you how important it is that we ensure that every child is seen and heard.

Making a child feel ‘seen’ goes beyond physical observation. It means that their presence is recognized. It means that if they aren’t in the right mood, it doesn’t go unnoticed. Similarly, children feel ‘heard’ when they are given a chance to speak. Even if they are not as outspoken or confident, their opinions and words are understood and valued by their peers and teachers. A simple sense of belonging that builds long-term confidence.

The Kalyani School , Pune, truly understands that when a child’s voice is lost in the crowd, it can douse their hope to discover the part of themselves that could lead them to greatness. And therefore, to make sure that no child feels excluded, TKS makes certain platforms of self-expression compulsory for all students. This includes one of the first competitions of every session, called the ‘K-talk’. On a surface level, it is just an elocution competition and a speaking assessment. But if you look deeper, it gives every child a stage from where they can make themselves heard. Furthermore, every student is expected to contribute something to the school magazine – be it poetry, an article, an essay, or any other creative work. This ensures that every child gets their own special corner in the magazine. In addition to these, there are weekly chronicles, debate opportunities, and assemblies, providing a range of platforms to help children convert their thoughts into action.

However, it is important to understand that not every child is equally comfortable speaking on stage. Thus, the learning-teaching methodology of TKS provides a safe haven for the non-linguistic learners. Mentoring sessions and Circle Times are some classroom strategies that help students open up. At TKS, teachers create bonds with students before teaching lessons. This is perhaps what makes it one of the top schools in Pune.

In conclusion, I opine with the fact that it is only when a combination of encouragements and opportunities are provided, that children can build their unique identity and become the ‘unique flower’ that everyone talks about, but hardly anyone has seen.