Students often find themselves floundering in the race to get that perfect examination score and at the same time, excel in extra-curricular activities. But, what if the school teacher was once a backbencher and a last ranker?

This is a story authored by Kavita Bhupta Ghosh, an English teacher at the Delhi Public School, Bengaluru South.

Ms. Ghosh, who has about 15 years’ experience, has written ‘Wanted back-bencher and last-ranker teacher’.

She was an average student and backbencher at school, and says that she drew inspiration from her experience of being shunned by her peers as well as observing students in the classroom.

In her book, which is already available on e-commerce websites and is scheduled to be formally launched in January, she throws light on the academic, adolescent and peer-pressure situations faced by students. Although the characters are fictitious, Ms. Ghosh says that the situations are universal and common to all schools. Her book deals with the story of Roma Mathur, who is appointed a teacher in a school for six months on experimental basis after more experienced teachers fail to get the desired results and instil discipline.Explaining why she chose to write such a book, she says that a teacher has ‘immense’ influence on her students and could help them with their problems, both in and out of the classroom. She also has a piece of advice for school managements, who recruit teachers only on the basis of qualification and experience. “Will a person who is merely intelligent and well-read make a good teacher? It is important for managements to find out if the teacher has the ability to transfer the passion and knowledge to children,” she says.

She hopes that her book would prompt more people to become teachers. “The role of a teacher does not end with the sound of the bell. The teacher needs to be accessible to students every time they need help,” she explains.

Role of a teacher does not end with the sound of the bell.

Kavita Bhupta Ghosh,

Teacher, Delhi Public School