Page 14 - CafeSocial-July-2021

LEARN, UNLEARN
AND RELEARN
A teacher is one who never stops learning.
A candid chat of Adv. Surabhi with
MR. ASHOK KUMAR SINGH Mr. Ashok Kumar Singh on education,
Educator, Author,
Researcher & Psychologist
A teacher is one who never stops
learning, which has been proven true by
Ashok Kumar Singh. An educationist for 26
years, he is indeed an inspiration. A teacher,
administrator, author, psychologist,
researcher, and a sportsperson who has only
recently acquired yet another degree in
psychology, Mr. A.K. Singh is the perfect
embodiment of a learned educator
quintessential to the modern education
system. Our Editor Surabhi Sankhla grabbed
the opportunity to interview him and
understand better about his journey and
choices along with his useful insights on the
current times.
Undoubtedly service is a noble
profession, but what brought you into
education?
Some incidents feel so fresh in the
mind! On a usual morning of 21st July 1993, I
met my neighbor outside my house, who to
my surprise mentioned, “Ashok, I heard your
tutees discussing about your way of
teaching and they all were looking satisfied
with the way you taught them accountancy.
Why don't you choose teaching as a
career?” In those days I was thinking of
doing MBA because my father wanted to see
me as a manager in a reputed company. But
this simple observation of my neighbor aunt
had me thinking all week long. What better
way to pursue my strengths as a career? That
is what brought me to become a teacher and
immediately after completing my Masters in
14 JULY 2021
teacher and students.
Commerce; I decided to pursue Bachelors in
Education. Hence in a time where teaching
was not taken as a serious career, I can
proudly say that I am a teacher by choice
and not by chance.
Sounds like this was your dream career.
With what purpose did you proceed on
this path?
Every teacher has once been a student,
haven't they? As a student in school and
college, I learned how a teacher actually
never really “Teaches”; he merely has to
inspire learning mindset in students, the
desire to learn. Once that flame has been lit
in the minds of the students, it will find a way
to provide its own fuel. Education can never
be restricted to a syllabus no matter how
comprehensively it is drafted. It is always a
dynamic process. Yes, I can teach a child a
concept, a fact and even technique, but what
makes the children imbibe this teaching is
their will to learn and that for me is the entire
purpose of education!
26 years of experience as an educationist
in the Indian Education System is indeed
an achievement. Trace us on a path of this
journey of yours.
It was in the Monsoon of 1994 that I
taught my first lecture in a school. I was an
amateur and had started without an idea. I
would simply go and translate in a simpler
language what was given in the book. It so
went on till the monsoon of 96, when I joined
the boarding house of the school. That was