Scenario:Shreya, a 25 years old young and dynamic girl, was newly appointed school counsellor in one of the renown schools of the city. She was very happy, cheerful, and jolly in the nature. She used to mix with the students, listen them, understands their problems and find the perfect solution.
One day, Trustee of the school has called Shreya. The matter was serious. Trustee has informed Shreya that there is a girl in Standard 10 named Riya. She is poor in her academics. They doubt that Riya may not be able to pass Board exam. Hence, Shreya makes sure that Riya must score well and pass the exam. Trustee has also warned Shreya that over period the school reputation has increased, and for last few years no students have failed in the board exam. Hence, if Riya gets fail in the board exam, Shreya will be responsible for that and may lose her job too. The Trustees were also thinking to ask Riya’s parents to take transfer so that they do not have to face such consequences.
Shreya did not agree for the transfer. So, Shreya met to Riya and her parents and shared Trustees concern about Riya. Riya’s Mother did not agree with changing the school as it would be very difficult for Riya to adjust and it was her Board Exams. Riya’s mother reported that she keeps forcing Riya to study but Riya did not listen to her and be there in her own world.
Riya was poor in her studies. She barely scored in her exams. She even got promotion in Mathematics paper. Talking to her mother, Shreya realized that although Riya is a normal child, there is a problem with Riya’s Behaviour. In childhood Riya’s performance was good but slowly it went down. Hence, Riya is facing a lot of difficulties in her studies. Shreya had also found that Riya is Introvert.
Shreya has started collecting information about Riya. One day talking to Riya’s Kinder Garden Teacher, Shreya found that Riya once was active student. While checking Riya’s previous report cards and student’s progress reports, Shreya found that Riya had, once, secured fifth rank in her class. This was surprising for Shreya. Shreya also found that after 5th grade, Riya’s performance decreased. Shreya has started Riya’s Counselling and had adopted different remedial techniques so that Riya can score well in the exam. But Shreya got only disappointment. In weekly test, Riya scored very few marks.
One day Shreya was observing Riya while she was studying in her classroom. Riya’s teacher has asked students to give an answer of Mathematics sum. Whole class has raised their hand, but Riya has not. At this time Riya whispered something. Some one spoke loudly that Riya is saying something, she might know the answer. The teacher placed a sarcastic remark by asking Riya whether she knows the answer or not? Other students in the class started laughing and making fun of Riya.
Shreya got the answer that Riya need attention as she has over pressurised at home, neglected by her teachers and bullied by her batchmates. Shreya asked Riya’s teachers to cooperate, but they did not support directly, instead they have started giving advises to Shreya. Some kind hearted teachers have shown interest in helping Riya but they were also hopeless for her. Shreya has started paying extra attention to Riya but the result was not as per the expectation. Meanwhile a reminder from the trustee has come as there were only few months left for Board Exam and Shreya must give some concrete solution to the Trustees about Riya.
Shreya was confused as she was quickly running out of time. Shreya was unable to find the answer, hence she has decided to meet her teacher. Shreya has narrated the situation and asked to give her direction. The teacher has listened Shreya, gave some remedies and advised Shreya to think out of the box. Shreya was not satisfied with this answer. But as per her teacher’s advice, Shreya decided to think out of the box.
Now, Shreya has restart everything and tried to find the unique solutions. Shreya keeps reminding her self and having self-talk, “Think out of the Box, Shreya, Think out of the Box”. but again, she got disappointment. On the other hand, day by day Riya’s performance was decreasing. Shreya scattered with hopelessness. She did not find any way ahead. Shreya must report next day to the Trustees. With broken heart, Shreya has typed her resignation letter.
Next day, Shreya went to the school. She was sad and not interested in talking to anyone. Shreya has called for meeting with Trustees. With broken heart, Shreya stood from her place and started walking towards the Trustee’s office. While going to the office, Shreya has called by the principal for this matter. Shreya shared the situation to the principal and shown her resignation letter. The principal was satisfied with Shreya’s performance and wanted to help her but bound to be follow words given by the Trustee. With disappointment, and pain to lose of one of the best teachers of school, the principal has asked Shreya to wait outside until she called.
With disappointment, Shreya was waiting outside for her turn. Suddenly, she saw a girl struggling to draw something. With curiosity, Shreya went to her and asked what was she doing? The girl replied, “I am trying to draw two identical circles but I cannot because it is difficult to draw two identical circles without using any supporting tool. Shreya got interested in this. She asked the purpose to draw two identical circles. The girl shown a picture to Shreya where one circle surrounded by big circles appears small and the identical circle which was draw next to it surrounded by small circles which was appearing big.
Shreya’s eye gaze on this picture. Lot of thoughts come in her mind. And suddenly Shreya got the answer. “Got it”, Shreya spoked little louder. They girl saw Shreya with surprise. A big smile came to Shreya’s face and She told ‘thanks’ to the girl. With surprise and confusion, the girl replied ‘you are welcome, Ma’am’. Shreya quickly rushed to trustee’s office and found she had already called for the meeting.
“I have found the solution’, before anyone speaks, Shreya started the conversation, shared her thought, and requested to take Riya in their sister institute for a month under her guidance. With requests and logical arguments, the trustee got agree. Shreya went to sister institute, approached the principal, convinced her, and asked her to make necessary arrangements. Shreya has also convinced Riya’s parents.
Next day, Shreya took Riya to her new school. The school was quiet and peaceful, surrounded by lot of green trees. Shreya asked Riya to sit in the class and started observing Riya from outside the classroom. Students were surprized to see a new student in their class. The teacher has started teaching the topic. Suddenly, the teacher asked a question. Everyone has raised their hands but not Riya. Tacher with all humbleness asked Riya to answer the question. Riya stood on her place but could not answer the question. The teacher asked Riya to sit back to her place and said, ‘it happens to everyone’.
For the first time, no one from the class had made fun of Riya. There were no comments and no bullying. The day went well. But because Riya was unable to answer the question, other students were less interested to do friendship with her. Only Krishna, the one who was sharing her bench with Riya had little conversation with Riya.
Next day, both Shreya and Riya reached to the school. There were lot of questions asked in the class during different periods but the result was same. Riya was unable to answer any of them.
One week passed, but the situation was the same. Although Shreya found herself failing here, she had faith in her decision. Next day, Riya went to the school. During the class, teacher again asked question, but this time Riya has spoken the answer silently but Krishna had listened this. “Ma’am, Riya knows the answer’, Krishna spoke loudly. Teacher asked Riya to answer the question. Riya was hesitating to give the answer, but Krishna started encouraging Riya. A boy sitting back side, stood and calling Riya’s name for the encouragement. Soon the whole class has started encouraging Riya by calling Riya’s name. Riya gave the answer and it was correct. The whole class has cheered Riya with claps and noise. One group of girls has approached Riya and asked to join their group.
Shreya’s phone started ringing. Shreya woke up and checked the time. It was about to twelve midnight. She checked the caller. It was Riya’s mother. With curiosity Shreya attended the call. “Ma’am, I am sorry to call at this time, but I was unable to resist myself”, said Riya’s Mother. “Ok, but can you please tell me what is the matter?”. Shreya was yet in half sleeping. Riya’s mother reported that for the first time, Riya has started studying by her own. Shreya wanted to see this moment so she requested to come to video call. Shreya was happy to see Riya studying.
Next day, Shreya went to the school and got the news regarding previous day incident. Shreya wanted to see Riya. So, she stood outside the class and started observing Riya. While observing Riya, Shreya found a different kind of glow on Riya’s face.
One month passed and as per the condition, Riya had to leave this school and go back to her original school.
Everyone was sitting in the class. While teaching, the teacher has asked a question. Everyone in the class has raised their hand. Riya has also raised her hand this time to give the answer. Teacher asked Riya to answer the question but before she could answer, someone passed a comment and everyone started laughing. While everyone was laughing, Riya spoke the answer loudly. The answer was correct. A pin dropped silence spread in the class. Teacher appreciated Riya for her correct answer. Shreya was observing everything.
There was a different charm and energy in Riya. Her face was glowing with confidence. This was not the same Riya as was one month age. Now Riya was talk of the town. Everyone in staffroom were discussing about Riya’s change. Shreya was happy with her decision. Days passed quickly. Day by day, Riya’s attention gets focused and her confidence gets increased.
The day of Board exam came. With all surprise Riya’s exam went well. When the result came, Riya scored good marks. The school reputation kept remain intact. On the result day, the trustee called Shreya. Everyone was happy. Trustee has appreciated Shreya for her efforts. Shreya thanks for her acknowledgement, but something different was going in her mind.
With everyone surprise, Shreya gave her resignation and Riya got her School Leaving Certificate. While leaving the school, both have smile to each other. There was an unspoken gratitude for each other. There were a different kind of confidence and charm on their faces. Both Shreya and Riya left the school at the same time proving themselves and with new hopes.
Create my version of this story
Shreya, a 25 years old young and dynamic girl, was newly appointed school counsellor in one of the renown schools of the city. She was very happy, cheerful, and jolly in the nature. She used to mix with the students, listen them, understands their problems and find the perfect solution.
One day, Trustee of the school has called Shreya. The matter was serious. Trustee has informed Shreya that there is a girl in Standard 10 named Riya. She is poor in her academics. They doubt that Riya may not be able to pass Board exam. Hence, Shreya makes sure that Riya must score well and pass the exam. Trustee has also warned Shreya that over period the school reputation has increased, and for last few years no students have failed in the board exam. Hence, if Riya gets fail in the board exam, Shreya will be responsible for that and may lose her job too. The Trustees were also thinking to ask Riya’s parents to take transfer so that they do not have to face such consequences.
Shreya did not agree for the transfer. So, Shreya met to Riya and her parents and shared Trustees concern about Riya. Riya’s Mother did not agree with changing the school as it would be very difficult for Riya to adjust and it was her Board Exams. Riya’s mother reported that she keeps forcing Riya to study but Riya did not listen to her and be there in her own world.
Riya was poor in her studies. She barely scored in her exams. She even got promotion in Mathematics paper. Talking to her mother, Shreya realized that although Riya is a normal child, there is a problem with Riya’s Behaviour. In childhood Riya’s performance was good but slowly it went down. Hence, Riya is facing a lot of difficulties in her studies. Shreya had also found that Riya is Introvert.
Shreya has started collecting information about Riya. One day talking to Riya’s Kinder Garden Teacher, Shreya found that Riya once was active student. While checking Riya’s previous report cards and student’s progress reports, Shreya found that Riya had, once, secured fifth rank in her class. This was surprising for Shreya. Shreya also found that after 5th grade, Riya’s performance decreased. Shreya has started Riya’s Counselling and had adopted different remedial techniques so that Riya can score well in the exam. But Shreya got only disappointment. In weekly test, Riya scored very few marks.
One day Shreya was observing Riya while she was studying in her classroom. Riya’s teacher has asked students to give an answer of Mathematics sum. Whole class has raised their hand, but Riya has not. At this time Riya whispered something. Some one spoke loudly that Riya is saying something, she might know the answer. The teacher placed a sarcastic remark by asking Riya whether she knows the answer or not? Other students in the class started laughing and making fun of Riya.
Shreya got the answer that Riya need attention as she has over pressurised at home, neglected by her teachers and bullied by her batchmates. Shreya asked Riya’s teachers to cooperate, but they did not support directly, instead they have started giving advises to Shreya. Some kind hearted teachers have shown interest in helping Riya but they were also hopeless for her. Shreya has started paying extra attention to Riya but the result was not as per the expectation. Meanwhile a reminder from the trustee has come as there were only few months left for Board Exam and Shreya must give some concrete solution to the Trustees about Riya.
Shreya was confused as she was quickly running out of time. Shreya was unable to find the answer, hence she has decided to meet her teacher. Shreya has narrated the situation and asked to give her direction. The teacher has listened Shreya, gave some remedies and advised Shreya to think out of the box. Shreya was not satisfied with this answer. But as per her teacher’s advice, Shreya decided to think out of the box.
Now, Shreya has restart everything and tried to find the unique solutions. Shreya keeps reminding her self and having self-talk, “Think out of the Box, Shreya, Think out of the Box”. but again, she got disappointment. On the other hand, day by day Riya’s performance was decreasing. Shreya scattered with hopelessness. She did not find any way ahead. Shreya must report next day to the Trustees. With broken heart, Shreya has typed her resignation letter.
Next day, Shreya went to the school. She was sad and not interested in talking to anyone. Shreya has called for meeting with Trustees. With broken heart, Shreya stood from her place and started walking towards the Trustee’s office. While going to the office, Shreya has called by the principal for this matter. Shreya shared the situation to the principal and shown her resignation letter. The principal was satisfied with Shreya’s performance and wanted to help her but bound to be follow words given by the Trustee. With disappointment, and pain to lose of one of the best teachers of school, the principal has asked Shreya to wait outside until she called.
With disappointment, Shreya was waiting outside for her turn. Suddenly, she saw a girl struggling to draw something. With curiosity, Shreya went to her and asked what was she doing? The girl replied, “I am trying to draw two identical circles but I cannot because it is difficult to draw two identical circles without using any supporting tool. Shreya got interested in this. She asked the purpose to draw two identical circles. The girl shown a picture to Shreya where one circle surrounded by big circles appears small and the identical circle which was draw next to it surrounded by small circles which was appearing big.
Shreya’s eye gaze on this picture. Lot of thoughts come in her mind. And suddenly Shreya got the answer. “Got it”, Shreya spoked little louder. They girl saw Shreya with surprise. A big smile came to Shreya’s face and She told ‘thanks’ to the girl. With surprise and confusion, the girl replied ‘you are welcome, Ma’am’. Shreya quickly rushed to trustee’s office and found she had already called for the meeting.
“I have found the solution’, before anyone speaks, Shreya started the conversation, shared her thought, and requested to take Riya in their sister institute for a month under her guidance. With requests and logical arguments, the trustee got agree. Shreya went to sister institute, approached the principal, convinced her, and asked her to make necessary arrangements. Shreya has also convinced Riya’s parents.
Next day, Shreya took Riya to her new school. The school was quiet and peaceful, surrounded by lot of green trees. Shreya asked Riya to sit in the class and started observing Riya from outside the classroom. Students were surprized to see a new student in their class. The teacher has started teaching the topic. Suddenly, the teacher asked a question. Everyone has raised their hands but not Riya. Tacher with all humbleness asked Riya to answer the question. Riya stood on her place but could not answer the question. The teacher asked Riya to sit back to her place and said, ‘it happens to everyone’.
For the first time, no one from the class had made fun of Riya. There were no comments and no bullying. The day went well. But because Riya was unable to answer the question, other students were less interested to do friendship with her. Only Krishna, the one who was sharing her bench with Riya had little conversation with Riya.
Next day, both Shreya and Riya reached to the school. There were lot of questions asked in the class during different periods but the result was same. Riya was unable to answer any of them.
One week passed, but the situation was the same. Although Shreya found herself failing here, she had faith in her decision. Next day, Riya went to the school. During the class, teacher again asked question, but this time Riya has spoken the answer silently but Krishna had listened this. “Ma’am, Riya knows the answer’, Krishna spoke loudly. Teacher asked Riya to answer the question. Riya was hesitating to give the answer, but Krishna started encouraging Riya. A boy sitting back side, stood and calling Riya’s name for the encouragement. Soon the whole class has started encouraging Riya by calling Riya’s name. Riya gave the answer and it was correct. The whole class has cheered Riya with claps and noise. One group of girls has approached Riya and asked to join their group.
Shreya’s phone started ringing. Shreya woke up and checked the time. It was about to twelve midnight. She checked the caller. It was Riya’s mother. With curiosity Shreya attended the call. “Ma’am, I am sorry to call at this time, but I was unable to resist myself”, said Riya’s Mother. “Ok, but can you please tell me what is the matter?”. Shreya was yet in half sleeping. Riya’s mother reported that for the first time, Riya has started studying by her own. Shreya wanted to see this moment so she requested to come to video call. Shreya was happy to see Riya studying.
Next day, Shreya went to the school and got the news regarding previous day incident. Shreya wanted to see Riya. So, she stood outside the class and started observing Riya. While observing Riya, Shreya found a different kind of glow on Riya’s face.
One month passed and as per the condition, Riya had to leave this school and go back to her original school.
Everyone was sitting in the class. While teaching, the teacher has asked a question. Everyone in the class has raised their hand. Riya has also raised her hand this time to give the answer. Teacher asked Riya to answer the question but before she could answer, someone passed a comment and everyone started laughing. While everyone was laughing, Riya spoke the answer loudly. The answer was correct. A pin dropped silence spread in the class. Teacher appreciated Riya for her correct answer. Shreya was observing everything.
There was a different charm and energy in Riya. Her face was glowing with confidence. This was not the same Riya as was one month age. Now Riya was talk of the town. Everyone in staffroom were discussing about Riya’s change. Shreya was happy with her decision. Days passed quickly. Day by day, Riya’s attention gets focused and her confidence gets increased.
The day of Board exam came. With all surprise Riya’s exam went well. When the result came, Riya scored good marks. The school reputation kept remain intact. On the result day, the trustee called Shreya. Everyone was happy. Trustee has appreciated Shreya for her efforts. Shreya thanks for her acknowledgement, but something different was going in her mind.
With everyone surprise, Shreya gave her resignation and Riya got her School Leaving Certificate. While leaving the school, both have smile to each other. There was an unspoken gratitude for each other. There were a different kind of confidence and charm on their faces. Both Shreya and Riya left the school at the same time proving themselves and with new hopes.
Shreya
empathetic, and optimistic. Shreya is tasked with turning around the fortunes of a struggling student named Riya, who is the daughter of a former teacher at the same school. Despite facing opposition from the trustees and the school administration, Shreya uses her creative and resourceful approach to help Riya overcome her difficulties and ultimately achieve success in her Board exam.
Krishna
empathetic, and supportive. Krishna becomes an unlikely friend to Riya when he defends her in class against bullies. He helps Riya gain confidence by encouraging her to answer questions posed by the teacher. Although Krishna does not play a significant role beyond this, his actions have a profound impact on Riya's journey towards selfacceptance and academic improvement.
Riya
including bullying and low selfconfidence. She is quiet, introverted, and resilient. Riya faces intense pressure from her parents and the school to perform well in her Board exam. With Shreya's support and guidance, she undergoes a transformation, developing confidence and improving her academic standing. Riya's journey highlights her struggle against societal expectations and her quest for selfacceptance.
"Ma'am, Trustee has called you", the voice came from the principal's office.
I was sitting in my cabin, busy in doing some paperwork.
I quickly got up and started walking towards the principal's office.
"Ma'am, you can go now", I heard the voice again.
I sat back on my chair and started doing my work again.
I had to prepare the reports of the students and send them to the trustee.
I was busy in preparing the report of Riya.
My fingers were moving on the paper and I was writing her test scores in a column.
I was preparing her report for the last two years.
Her test scores were decreasing day by day.
We were trying our best to improve her performance, but we were unable to do so.
I looked out of my window and saw Riya sitting alone in the garden.
She was reading a book during her lunch break.
Seeing her, I got more determined to help her in improving her performance.
I completed my work and took out the files from my drawer and kept them on my table.
I stood up from my chair and straightened my shirt.
I knew I had to find a way to reach Riya before it was too late.
I walked across the garden.
The afternoon sun cast long shadows through the trees.
Some students were sitting at the benches and talking to each other.
Riya was still reading her book.
She turned another page as I approached her.
When I reached there, I saw that she had kept her math homework on the bench beside her.
She had solved only a few problems and most of them were left blank.
I cleared my throat to get her attention, but she didn't look up.
She kept reading her book.
I sat down on the stone bench and picked up one of her homework sheets.
I looked at the incomplete equations written on it.
We sat there for a few minutes in silence.
"Riya, is there something you'd like to talk about?" I asked gently, breaking the silence.
She hesitated, then whispered, "I just don't see the point anymore."
Her words hung in the air, heavy with a truth I hadn't expected.