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Ordinary People, Extraordinary Teachers: The Heroes of Real India
‘Two classrooms in this school double up as a night hostel for students whose parents migrate seasonally so that they do not miss school.’ For a large majority of Indian children, their only chance of an education is the government school. For nearly two decades, S. Giridhar has been crisscrossing the country in the course of his work with the Azim Premji Foundation, travelling to remote corners and observing the public education system. In these years, he has met hundreds of government school teachers—profoundly committed to improving the lives of the children in their care. These are teachers who defy all constraints because of a burning belief that every child can learn. Ordinary People, Extraordinary Teachers has emerged from Giridhar’s in-depth study of these inspirational teachers and the ecosystem they function in. Innovative and creative, dogged and resourceful, firm and kind—the government school teacher wears many a hat. This book is a tribute to their commitment and resilience.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 9, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 14, 2020
This is a book that will open your eyes and burst some facts regarding government school teachers in India. It will wash away all the negativity attached to these unsung heroes of India, often influenced by the mainstream media. I enjoyed every story told by the author from one of the most disadvantaged or backward districts and villages of our country. I was in awe to find teachers as dedicated to children's education as if they are their children. For instance, there was one teacher who only sleeps for fours a day and works for the school in the remaining twenty hours. Another regularly contributes from his pocket to provide his school's children with an adequate supply of essentials like uniforms or books or identity card, just like the nearby private school.
One of the most challenging things that I realised and found repetitively in every story was the need to gain trust and confidence of the community members and getting back enrollment of children from private schools. These are some roadblocks that no newspaper talks about. Under such circumstances, a teacher is not only doing his/her job but trying hard many times going beyond their job requirements to teach their children.
I have now found deep regard and respect for these real heroes of our country who not only require appreciation but also full support from our system and society too.
One of the most challenging things that I realised and found repetitively in every story was the need to gain trust and confidence of the community members and getting back enrollment of children from private schools. These are some roadblocks that no newspaper talks about. Under such circumstances, a teacher is not only doing his/her job but trying hard many times going beyond their job requirements to teach their children.
I have now found deep regard and respect for these real heroes of our country who not only require appreciation but also full support from our system and society too.
September 20, 2020
The book is a view of India's government-run primary schools and their teachers through the stories of triumphs and struggles of school teachers.
“Ordinary People, Extraordinary Teachers: The Heroes of Real India” offers the human side of the constantly debated story of India’s education system at the school level. There are no grand theoretical frameworks laid out, nor there are pretensions of hypothesis. The reader is respected and regarded as a person who can form opinions on evidence and stories presented from a wide sample of primary schools in Indian states. The book serves as a counterweight to the balance of analysis of the education system which has been heavily tipped towards the academic side.
In his book, S Giridhar lays out the framework, if that is the keyword a reader is looking for, as this -
“I have consciously stayed away from drawing comparisons or correlations with the various 'theories of change', nor have I tried to straitjacket the efforts of teachers into popular management terms such as 'circle of influence' and 'circle of control'.”
In this statement rests the value of this book. In the drive to reform or ‘find a solution’ the actual people are often overlooked. These are the people who are practically driving the system. Giridhar’s book is a narrative from this front. It is a view from the trenches.
The book’s structure moves from “Why We Must Support Government Schools” to demonstrating that the widely acknowledged values and expectations that people have about our schools are already being driven, and excellently at that, by the teachers who work in these schools. These are effectively narrated by chapters on each of these values - "The Head Teacher as a CEO"; "Equity and Quality; They Begin in the Classroom"; "Teamwork: The Pull of a Superordinate Goal" and "Heroes: They Recognize no Barriers". The point of view is unusual considering the range of books on this subject. This is perhaps the reason why the book may find a mixed response. It resists, by choice, the temptation to ‘theorise’. It prioritises the individuals - the very subjects with whom every conversation and the discourse at large should begin with. This is the gap that Giridhar deftly addresses with the book.
The book is marked with honesty and earnest effort towards its subjects - school teachers. With this book, the author is in conversation with the reader. “When I began my visits to schools, starting with the Surpur block in March 2017, my anticipation was tempered by the anxiety and uncertainty of what I would discover. What if many of these schools and teachers did not really turn out to be good, leave alone exceptional?” Giridhar writes. It is this kind of clarity and honesty that sets the book apart.
A deeper probing into identifying what drives these teachers and to ask if these qualities could become pervasive in the system, would have been a useful inclusion. The book dares to present a narrative form of writing on the education system and primary schools. Such an effort has earlier been made by Krishna Kumar. To see this book inquiring and understanding the system beyond the numbers is a useful addition to the discourse.
“Ordinary People, Extraordinary Teachers: The Heroes of Real India” offers the human side of the constantly debated story of India’s education system at the school level. There are no grand theoretical frameworks laid out, nor there are pretensions of hypothesis. The reader is respected and regarded as a person who can form opinions on evidence and stories presented from a wide sample of primary schools in Indian states. The book serves as a counterweight to the balance of analysis of the education system which has been heavily tipped towards the academic side.
In his book, S Giridhar lays out the framework, if that is the keyword a reader is looking for, as this -
“I have consciously stayed away from drawing comparisons or correlations with the various 'theories of change', nor have I tried to straitjacket the efforts of teachers into popular management terms such as 'circle of influence' and 'circle of control'.”
In this statement rests the value of this book. In the drive to reform or ‘find a solution’ the actual people are often overlooked. These are the people who are practically driving the system. Giridhar’s book is a narrative from this front. It is a view from the trenches.
The book’s structure moves from “Why We Must Support Government Schools” to demonstrating that the widely acknowledged values and expectations that people have about our schools are already being driven, and excellently at that, by the teachers who work in these schools. These are effectively narrated by chapters on each of these values - "The Head Teacher as a CEO"; "Equity and Quality; They Begin in the Classroom"; "Teamwork: The Pull of a Superordinate Goal" and "Heroes: They Recognize no Barriers". The point of view is unusual considering the range of books on this subject. This is perhaps the reason why the book may find a mixed response. It resists, by choice, the temptation to ‘theorise’. It prioritises the individuals - the very subjects with whom every conversation and the discourse at large should begin with. This is the gap that Giridhar deftly addresses with the book.
The book is marked with honesty and earnest effort towards its subjects - school teachers. With this book, the author is in conversation with the reader. “When I began my visits to schools, starting with the Surpur block in March 2017, my anticipation was tempered by the anxiety and uncertainty of what I would discover. What if many of these schools and teachers did not really turn out to be good, leave alone exceptional?” Giridhar writes. It is this kind of clarity and honesty that sets the book apart.
A deeper probing into identifying what drives these teachers and to ask if these qualities could become pervasive in the system, would have been a useful inclusion. The book dares to present a narrative form of writing on the education system and primary schools. Such an effort has earlier been made by Krishna Kumar. To see this book inquiring and understanding the system beyond the numbers is a useful addition to the discourse.
January 18, 2020
"Ordinary People, Extraordinary Teachers - The Heroes of Real India" by S Giridhar is a wonderful resource for not only educationists and teachers, but could also be a powerful motivational tool for any student aspiring to be a teacher in India. The stories of the hundred and ten Government teachers featured in this book are sure to inspire others of their ilk, and make state governments and institutions aware of the benefits of universal education.
It is a revelation to me that many teachers, who themselves earn moderate salaries, pay for essential school repairs, and for buying stationery and books. There are many myths about teachers, usually all uncomplimentary, that this book dispels very quickly, leaving the reader to savour the goodness of these ordinary people toiling happily in the distant villages of Karnataka, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Giridhar’s natural gift for conversation has no doubt elicited the best responses from even the shyest teachers, each of whom come across as serious, committed practitioners, ready to sacrifice personal time for the good of an entire village.
“Extraordinary Teachers” celebrates the beauty of government schooling and reveals to city dwellers that India is progressing academically even when the majority of the country’s children is studying in poor or inadequate schools in the countryside. It is a tribute to the teachers that attendance in remote schools is around 80-85%.The stories of teachers staying back beyond school hours, or of those that come in early, to teach weak students, or to goad girls to play sport, makes one sit up and applaud them!
The photographs and sketches enhance the description of the innovative ways government school teachers use, to get children of poor parents to attend classes. It would have been helpful if the book could have shown snippets of a lesson plan, or of the many social and lab experiments that children undertake.
Probably a few people in our country are qualified to talk about public education. Giridhar has travelled the length and breadth of our nation in the last decade and a half, engaging with governments and schools, policy makers, teachers and students. This long and very intense involvement as a member of the Azim Premji Foundation and the Azim Premji University has resulted in his writing this insightful book. The book brims with Giridhar’s exuberance and hope about the future of our schools.
Reading this book, one must commend and thank Azim Premji for his visionary faith in the government school system, and for the inroads made by Azim Premji Foundation in reenergising public education in many states of India.
It is a revelation to me that many teachers, who themselves earn moderate salaries, pay for essential school repairs, and for buying stationery and books. There are many myths about teachers, usually all uncomplimentary, that this book dispels very quickly, leaving the reader to savour the goodness of these ordinary people toiling happily in the distant villages of Karnataka, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. Giridhar’s natural gift for conversation has no doubt elicited the best responses from even the shyest teachers, each of whom come across as serious, committed practitioners, ready to sacrifice personal time for the good of an entire village.
“Extraordinary Teachers” celebrates the beauty of government schooling and reveals to city dwellers that India is progressing academically even when the majority of the country’s children is studying in poor or inadequate schools in the countryside. It is a tribute to the teachers that attendance in remote schools is around 80-85%.The stories of teachers staying back beyond school hours, or of those that come in early, to teach weak students, or to goad girls to play sport, makes one sit up and applaud them!
The photographs and sketches enhance the description of the innovative ways government school teachers use, to get children of poor parents to attend classes. It would have been helpful if the book could have shown snippets of a lesson plan, or of the many social and lab experiments that children undertake.
Probably a few people in our country are qualified to talk about public education. Giridhar has travelled the length and breadth of our nation in the last decade and a half, engaging with governments and schools, policy makers, teachers and students. This long and very intense involvement as a member of the Azim Premji Foundation and the Azim Premji University has resulted in his writing this insightful book. The book brims with Giridhar’s exuberance and hope about the future of our schools.
Reading this book, one must commend and thank Azim Premji for his visionary faith in the government school system, and for the inroads made by Azim Premji Foundation in reenergising public education in many states of India.
January 20, 2020
My connection with education during the last few decades had been fleeting and clearly outside the academics. I did attend to what a parent is expected to do for his children’s schooling but, had no idea on what was going on in the field of education in general and primary education specially.
So when I opened the book “Ordinary People, Extraordinary Teachers” by S Giridhar I knew where it would be heading. – a serious and insightful read that would dispel a few myths and stick to its core. And, I wanted to see what Giridhar had to say.
“Ordinary People, Extraordinary Teachers” sheds light on a whole spectrum of activities, systems and processes that exist in primary education. At primary level, Ranking of schools, Teachers’ training and Showcasing Children’s skill through competitions seem to be way beyond my expectation. Since I studied in rural government schools for a period of time, I know there are teachers, who can spark an interest in studies. While reading the book I realised how little we are aware of the efforts being put in by so many teachers to further education. Stories on how the teachers worked on improving enrolments and attendance and even drawing some away from private schools is indeed heartening. Ensuring better school uniforms within budgets and to contributing towards provision of uniforms to additional segments in government schools clearly is a smart move.
Giridhar categorised the teachers’ efforts in to chapters that reflect similar activities across geographies. The stories of teachers’ commitment to make a difference to the system in their own way, while nudging the local civic bodies and government departments to pitch in for improving infrastructure based often on visible improvement in the zeal to learn from the students is an absolute delight!
I liked the way the book dealt with and showcased champion teachers, who are self-starters in learning, teaching, managing and funding so that their children have quality education in a better environment. Teachers’ stories of the sacrifices made, life changes that they had to endure and system hurdles overcome are inspiring. Not surprisingly, the story remains the same in all the areas Azim Premji Foundation has been working.
I suggest you read the book since it would drive the cynic in you away and leave you with a feeling of happiness!
So when I opened the book “Ordinary People, Extraordinary Teachers” by S Giridhar I knew where it would be heading. – a serious and insightful read that would dispel a few myths and stick to its core. And, I wanted to see what Giridhar had to say.
“Ordinary People, Extraordinary Teachers” sheds light on a whole spectrum of activities, systems and processes that exist in primary education. At primary level, Ranking of schools, Teachers’ training and Showcasing Children’s skill through competitions seem to be way beyond my expectation. Since I studied in rural government schools for a period of time, I know there are teachers, who can spark an interest in studies. While reading the book I realised how little we are aware of the efforts being put in by so many teachers to further education. Stories on how the teachers worked on improving enrolments and attendance and even drawing some away from private schools is indeed heartening. Ensuring better school uniforms within budgets and to contributing towards provision of uniforms to additional segments in government schools clearly is a smart move.
Giridhar categorised the teachers’ efforts in to chapters that reflect similar activities across geographies. The stories of teachers’ commitment to make a difference to the system in their own way, while nudging the local civic bodies and government departments to pitch in for improving infrastructure based often on visible improvement in the zeal to learn from the students is an absolute delight!
I liked the way the book dealt with and showcased champion teachers, who are self-starters in learning, teaching, managing and funding so that their children have quality education in a better environment. Teachers’ stories of the sacrifices made, life changes that they had to endure and system hurdles overcome are inspiring. Not surprisingly, the story remains the same in all the areas Azim Premji Foundation has been working.
I suggest you read the book since it would drive the cynic in you away and leave you with a feeling of happiness!
May 22, 2020
A Must read book
I started reading this book “ Ordinary people - Extraordinary teachers - The heroes of real India with some skepticism since this was about government school teachers especially in remote rural India. The skepticism was on account having been conditioned to reading about how everything ( well almost) is wrong with government schools in India thanks to our media.
However after reading case after case which the author Giridhar keeps rolling out it became a revelation to me on how many of these teachers though earning moderate salaries show great personal commitment and sacrifice spending their own money for buying stationery etc.. to deliver education to as many children in their communities. Agree with Giri- they are the true heroes of this country.
With more and more rural children aspiring to do well and get a better life government schools are our only hope for future.
The book drove away the skeptic in me leaving with hope and optimism for better India in the Future.
I started reading this book “ Ordinary people - Extraordinary teachers - The heroes of real India with some skepticism since this was about government school teachers especially in remote rural India. The skepticism was on account having been conditioned to reading about how everything ( well almost) is wrong with government schools in India thanks to our media.
However after reading case after case which the author Giridhar keeps rolling out it became a revelation to me on how many of these teachers though earning moderate salaries show great personal commitment and sacrifice spending their own money for buying stationery etc.. to deliver education to as many children in their communities. Agree with Giri- they are the true heroes of this country.
With more and more rural children aspiring to do well and get a better life government schools are our only hope for future.
The book drove away the skeptic in me leaving with hope and optimism for better India in the Future.
October 9, 2022
This is a collection of stories of extraordinary teachers and head teachers in various government schools that the author (or his team) have encountered through their work with Azim Premji Foundation. Over the course of the book, I found myself so pleased that there were people in our education system who are rejecting the rote system and who are dedicated to holistic education.
It will make me think twice before I criticise "conventional learning" or "government" because both these institutions have thousands of well intentioned, hard working, impact driven workers who go do unnoticed by us on the outside. This book drives home that point. It could be a hundred pages shorter as after a while the individual names and stories start to melt together but I can see why the author can't do that, because all these people are deserving of the acknowledgement that this book offers them.
It will make me think twice before I criticise "conventional learning" or "government" because both these institutions have thousands of well intentioned, hard working, impact driven workers who go do unnoticed by us on the outside. This book drives home that point. It could be a hundred pages shorter as after a while the individual names and stories start to melt together but I can see why the author can't do that, because all these people are deserving of the acknowledgement that this book offers them.
March 16, 2020
A must read book that is an awe inspiring collection of real life stories of incredible teachers at public schools in India. The author narrates these over the course of his journey visiting the schools and getting to know how the teachers made the biggest of (positive) changes in their schools with the barest minimum resources, combined with extraordinary passion, drive and ingenuity. Very very touching and uplifting read narrated in a very interesting way. Because the book is split into several chapters, each a (true) story by itself connecting to the central theme, it was easy to pause, savor the brilliance of each teacher and also reflect on the settings within each narration that the author has lovingly shared with us in his unique writing style. Highly recommend this book.
January 19, 2020
Exceedingly well narrated. Crisp. And sheer hard work in field of Education outreach by Mr Giridhar for nearly two decades.
Extraordinary teacher's selfless and unique qualities covered in great measure.
A good read for everyone.
Extraordinary teacher's selfless and unique qualities covered in great measure.
A good read for everyone.
April 24, 2021
Consists of a lot of examples. You would be surprised to know the things teachers in govt. schools are capable of doing.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews