One of the benefits of receiving
instructions in a classroom is that it enhances social skills, builds
organizational skills, enhances critical thinking skills and yes promotes
collaborative learning. There are many more for sure but these are pretty
important. Now the world of education has been turned upside down due to the
virus forcing schools and colleges to conduct classes online. Exams are being
conducted online. There have been breaks when students have gone back to class
but on the whole it has been classes being conducted in front of a camera for
the benefit of students who are sitting in front of a computer screen. Many of
the students are attending these classes sitting in their bedrooms or in the
living room. In such a situation how could a student develop those
interpersonal skills that would help one adjust to life in the corporate world?
And yes, there is also the important matter of developing one’s emotional
intelligence which is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own
emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize
with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict. How do the students view
this and importantly how do corporates in Goa view this.
Aditya Krishna Malhotra, a student in a
college in Mapusa said he had appeared for exams online and had been attending
classes online for approximately two years. He said “We attended classes
offline for a month and then dragged back online due to the variant. I prefer
offline because you cannot have practicals online. If there is some
misunderstanding of the material being taught offline, it can be sorted out
immediately. Listening to English lectures online can be very boring and
practicals are not happening. We will not have the skill sets that are required
for a job.” Another student, Siddharth Kumar from a local college said it was
hard to transition from offline to online. He said “Attending class online is
like listening to a voice and nothing else. I don’t feel like concentrating.
When it was offline, one could see and hear the voice, the changing vocal
tones, watch the changing expression of the person explaining and importantly
interact with fellow students, discuss and also ask questions to the teacher”.
He said this was not possible online. A school or college he said helped
develop one’s emotional and mental quotient. That was not happening now which
could cause problems in the future.
Sahil Mahajan who is studying journalism said offline classes
were always preferred because it was sometimes difficult to understand what the
teacher was explaining online. Classes, he said, were boring and no one took
them seriously. Since classes were online, everyone presumed the exams would
also be conducted online. The value of the course was in the fact that it was
being conducted offline. He said “This will certainly affect our prospects for
a job. I am quite worried about this”. Shane D Souza who aspires to become a
cinematographer said it was vital for him to get practical experience which was
getting thanks to an internship but the interactions in college were missing
which was a great loss.
For prospective employers who are based in Goa, it can be a
tricky situation. Ryan Rodrigues, an entrepreneur, felt it was important to
give everyone a fair chance. He said “I would not have a problem interviewing
the candidate and then gauge him or her by conducting a competency based
testing. Create situational based questions and evaluate the person. Just
because he or she could not attend college does not make them unviable. The
attitude of a person is important and a person with a right kind of always a
boon for any employer.”
Anil Pereira an entrepreneur said if he came across a candidate
who had an appetite for learning then he would have no hesitation in hiring the
person. He said “What we do is not rocket science, if you have the interest and
the passion then why not. We have had people who started off in housekeeping
and then moved onto become supervisors. An ability to learn and absorb and
execute well is treasured by any employer”.
Suwarna Surlakar who has a education based startup said she
would not have any problem hiring the person if they had the required skills
she wanted. She said if anyone was good enough, they would be willing to hire
them.
Remmie Azavedo who has a startup said they were always on the
lookout for fresher’s because juniors would move up the ranks and seniors would
move out. He said “I have noticed that in the last two years, many youngsters
are taking courses online and have a lot more knowledge. We also help
youngsters. We are now working in the office and there are interactions between
juniors and seniors during which they learn so much”. He said there were
challenges but it always worked out.
An executive of a placement company who was not authorised to
speak to the media said since most of the candidates were junior, corporates
would be willing to take a chance on candidates so it would not be a problem.
It
has been a very traumatic time for everyone and one can only hope these
students and many more who pass out this year and the next will get jobs in
industries they desire.
