Inculcating a work culture

IT IS a truth of nature that every living being takes care to teach its young one the basic things of sustenance, like how to find food and protect itself from danger, before it is left to fend for itself. We, humans, bestowed with rational thinking, want to do much more for our offspring. But it is disheartening to see our educated youth who are unable to face the challenges in life and stand on their own. Is it not mainly because of the fact that we are failing to inculcate a work culture in them?

The school and the educators' responsibilities do not end in getting their students a high score in their study. It is also their duty to enable them to look at life with a sense of purpose and achievement. In other words, the very aim of education should be to prepare the learner for his life.

But many of today's children, especially those of the upper middle class, who are brought up with all the comforts and luxuries, are growing up as a work-shy lot. They lack motivation to work and the feeling of having-everything-need-nothing is deep-rooted in them. If so, how can their life become meaningful without anything to contribute to society?

Though we are looking towards the West, we have not yet learnt to copy their way when it comes to their approach towards work, which has enabled them to stand far ahead of us. They do not despise work because the habit of working is instilled in them at an early stage in life. Even the Indian students who go abroad for higher studies find a part time job which in turn can act as a supplement in meeting their financial requirement.

As work too is habit-forming and is a healthy one at that,we should spare no effort to inculcate it in our children. Our exam- oriented teaching-learning process have done away with the place of S.U.P.W. in most of the schools. There is no place for creative work. This is not a welcome change. There should be a period or two allotted for this purpose in every school time- table and should be used fruitfully. The pupils are happy to do group work. If we highlight their work and allow them to come out with novel ideas, we can gauge their creative bend of mind. The school can hold exhibition to display their work which in turn can motivate them. It can build confidence in them about their capability. The work can include sewing, embroidery, pottery, chart making, designing, painting, gardening, maintaining farms etc. Even a cleanliness drive can be organised incorporating group effort. If they start loving work at a tender age, it can pay them for their lifetime. Also, they get a change from the monotonous routine and offer their mind relaxation for a while.

We may come across two major obstacles when we want to implement it through educational institutions. One is lack of interest from the side of teachers and the other is the affluent parents who do not like the idea of their children working. As an angry parent puts it `At home, I do not allow my child even to lift the plate from which he eats food and how dare he is asked to clean up the classroom'. This approach should change. Parents should have affection towards their children but an overdose of it may spoil the child's growth.

It would be worthwhile if parents and teachers (first and second teachers) join hands to create a sensitivity towards work. Childen should be taught to respect work of any sort. The overall development of a child's personality is dependent on the kind of education one receives. So it is the duty of these educators to develop an urge for achievement in the child's mind. It will act as a driving force throughout his life.

Today corporate companies and industries prefer dynamic and talented youth, with a right attitude to work and join their work force. So, if one is able to capture a work sense at a young age, he can carve a niche for himself by the time he reaches his twenties while others look at him with awe.

It is time we understood that no government can offer jobs for all as they complete university education. Skill and ability are touchstones to success and one who is mentally alert can pick the right job in the right earnest.

Every one is unique with a special talent embedded in each child. If properly channelled, these infinite riches can benefit the whole society. There will neither be any dearth of human resources nor job opportunities for the young, as science and technology is revolutionising the world.

The parents too should be aware of the fact that diverting a certain amount of time for work does not interfere with their ward's studies. In such a case they too will encourage the youngsters taking up part-time jobs to earn while they learn. In this age of the Internet and web-sites, it will not be difficult to find a job which can serve as a base to build up one's career.

Through this sort of work, they can learn many valuable lessons of life too. It develops a sense of responsibility. They learn to be independent, tolerant and patient and to get on with demanding employers and tension at workplace. It can meet their ever- increasing demand for pocket money. They learn to use their leisure time effectively and there is no place for any kind of wanton habits yielding to peer pressure.

There are many who complete a certain course of study and are left directionless about what to do with their life. When their hopes and aspirations to government jobs fail, they get frustrated. As they enter into mature adulthood, their parents and every one around them expect them to do something worthy. When they cannot meet their expectations they are marked `good for nothing'. This can paralyse the young mind, which in turn develops a sense of insignificance and lack of confidence in them. This wouldn't happen, if we are able to make them work- conscious.

Life cannot be meaningful or rewarding without a pleasurable job. The work place has enormous thrills and adventures to offer, if only we have the sense to enjoy it.

Our approach and attitude towards work must change. We should always be motivational and encouraging by narrating the life stories of people who have risen to great heights through sheer hardwork. Parents have to realise the prudence behind giving a fish for hunger or teaching fishing to satisfy hunger.

Finally the desire to come up and contribute something to society should be the guiding spirit of every human being. Every piece of work can give creative satisfaction if done perfectly. So it is our duty to safeguard the young without being carried awa

LEELA MADHUSUDAN

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