If I Were The School Principal

“Mama, I don’t want to go to school anymore. The children are not friendly, they run away from me and the teachers don’t seem to like me either. I am not going to school!”

“C’mon Son. You have no option. You are the principal and you have to go!”

I have imagined myself as the most dreaded principal. Every time I see myself in this role, I imagine myself with a strong personality. Clad in a crisp cotton sari, I am walking down the corridors and as I approach, there is pin drop silence all around. The one odd student who comes my way wishes me reverentially and I nod in return. I command respect from both students and teachers. This is because Ihave a vast amount of knowledge and experience which, coupled with my vision and devotion reflect in my work. I am punctual and expect the same from others. Yet, I am compassionate and always have the best interests of the students in mind. I try to improvise teaching methods, teaching aids and other facilities. I go on regular rounds to ensure that the bathrooms are clean, that the laboratories are well maintained and that the teachers are teaching as they ought to. I am strict but do not believe in using the cane and hence, physical abuse of any sort is prohibited in my school. Punishments are in order and so are warnings — all for the eventual wellbeing of the child. My aim would be to make wholesome individuals out of the young ones under my care. Perhaps, every Principal has the same agenda in mind whether we agree or not. The responsibilities a Principal shoulders are tremendous. If we as students do our bit, it will be easier for them to do theirs.

Questions

• Should a Principal be strict?
• Pick out five adjectives.