Online class alapparais

Ever since they started this online schooling, more than junior, it has been a pain revisited for me. Naan padicha kaalathulaye school and teachers na avlo “ishtam”. Sitting even for 45 minutes in these online classes, that too so early in the day at 10 AM is becoming a boring routine. Both me and junior adichify kottam till 1AM and would be halfway into dream land when mommy dearest would ulukkify both of us from our slumber. Junior would sleep walk, literally, into brushing his teeth and if luck/mood permits might even take bath. I have the luxury of staying gabbu. Once the video is switched on, both of us would yawn in unison. The moment the session is logged out, junior would be at his sprightly best. Wonder how the parents who doesn’t have net connection or system at home manage? The school management has “generously” and graciously permitted the children to even come on mobile phone to attend the class. What if they’ve siblings and having two classes at same time is a multiple computer question. As much as kids education not getting hampered is a no brainer, expecting every parent to scamper for multiple devices with high speed connectivity is beyond utopia and is unfair on the kids as well.

Nevertheless, everyday the class session is a lesson for both me and junior. I would need to monitor junior to ensure he is watching the classes and participates, my mom would watch over me, stopping me from fiddling the phone and to take notes whenever any activity is assigned. My wife would supervise later by checking the PTA group for any misses in homework. Eventually both of us will get scolded for not listening during the class. Today was a glorious exception. It was about colors, the most favorite topic of junior. He was super excited when the teacher opened “Powerpoint”. He in fact was voicing over mute the “instructions” for her. The moment she started showing slides for things of each color, he started jumping and was very happy.

Teacher: “What is this bird black in color” 

Junior: ”Crow…kaaa kaaa nu katthum…mammu saaptutu iruku kitchen windowla”

Me: “one word answerku edthukuda ivlo solra..crow..avlo podhum”

Teacher: “What is that vegetable which is purple in color”

After a while she told it was cabbage. Junior was agitated and he unmuted himself.

“Miss..cabbage green colorla thaan irukum”

There was a pause from the other side this time. Could hear her mind voice “naan enna vachukita vanjana panren..purple colorla brinjal thavira vera vegetable kedacha poda maatena”

Teacher: “cabbages are also purple in color as well as green..next time super market porachay paaru”

Finally they gave the activity for the day – draw 3 things that are green or red in color. Junior mentioned the items and I did a quick drawing of them as he was least inclined.

When the kids were asked to come on video and show their drawings, one of the kid was called up and his parents were asked to stay back as it was very clear that they were the ones who had drawn and not the kid. I was super scared when junior’s turn came to present.

Teacher:”good job kanna..mango, banana, beans ellam oray shapela poda kudathu..appa kitta learn panniko how to draw different shapes nu”

Junior gave me a “ithuku nanay draw pannirupen – intha avamanaam unakku thevaya” look. 

My mom: “idpiya kozhikirukara pola draw pannuva..don’t spoil junior’s name…ozhunga draw pannu”

Me: “Idhellam aniyayam..avan UKG padikarana illa naana..idhelaam ketpaar ilia…”

Bulb vaangarathu nammakulaam pudusa enna. Veerargal vaazhakkaiyil idhellam jagajam!!! Avvvvvvvvv….