Back to School: How Were the Short Vacations?
As we approach the return to school, the question on everyone's mind is: how were the short vacations? The answers are either evasive, implying that smartphones were used more than books, or confident, reflecting a certain level of self-assurance. However, it's clear that many students have a good understanding of what awaits them.
Unfortunately, we were unable to interview students who suffered from the floods and cold temperatures, as they likely had more pressing concerns. Nevertheless, directives have been given to take into account the challenging circumstances faced by these students, aiming to avoid putting them under psychologically destructive pressure and to help them feel more confident and prepared for the upcoming exams.
To prepare students for the exams, numerous interventions have been made in various media outlets to explain that exams should not be seen as a punishment, but rather as an assessment of what has been learned in class. The goal is to evaluate students' knowledge and understanding, not to intimidate or stress them out.
Regarding the return to school, the words of Mr. Ridha Zahrouni, President of the Tunisian Association of Parents and Students, come to mind. He has made several recommendations to parents to ensure a smooth and effective return to school. Firstly, he emphasized the importance of reviewing academic results, not to compare or judge, but to identify each student's strengths and weaknesses.
Parents often tend to focus on the past and compare their children's performance to others, which can create unnecessary pressure. Mr. Zahrouni urged parents to reduce this pressure and to consider that the pursuit of good grades is not an end in itself. Instead, the focus should be on ensuring that students learn, progress, and evolve in a balanced manner.
In conclusion, the upcoming exams are a useful tool for both students and teachers. They will help students understand what they need to work on and provide teachers with valuable feedback on how to improve their teaching methods and better support their students.
The exams will also give teachers insight into the most effective ways to transmit their knowledge while respecting the ethics of their profession. Once the exams are corrected, we will have a better understanding of the students' progress and the teachers' effectiveness.