Quick thoughts on Empathy in Education….
In the sphere of education, Empathy plays a very crucial role as a catalyst that triggers a harmonious relationship between stakeholders, between the teacher and the taught, and also between the Management and the School. Hence Empathy can be a very complex topic of debate. Unfortunately, the Indian Education system places very little stress on the requirement of this skill in all Educators whether in the K-12 segment or the Higher Education domain. What goes without further deliberation or acceptance or refute is that Empathy is but an essential component in teaching. Unless and until a teacher in the classroom imbibes in her or him that feeling of being connected with the learner with who he works one full academic cycle, s/he fails to understand the learner and his background. Why does the background of the learner grow important? The background plays a crucial role in these days and times, unlike the olden days when the cluster of schools and colleges were fewer in number and catered to specific locations and countries. With students coming from diverse backgrounds today and with internationalization, understanding of the learner and his background apart from interpreting behaviour and feelings calls for Empathy in the teacher. One grows to be an effective teacher or leader when one understands the other who is working with and this demands empathy skills. Whether it is communication with the stakeholders, or building a collaborative relationship which would ultimately benefit the child, building a relationship on trust, or breezing in acceptance, empathy plays a crucial role. With diversity increasing in the ecosystem of a school, a teacher has to be quick to accept different cultures and build a strong bonding with the parents and home. Half of the behavioural concerns get resolved when the teacher has an understanding of the background of the learner. Sadly, empathy as a paper of study goes missing in the current day education system of teachers.
*paper presented at Virtual Schools Australia Conference, October18, 2020
