After reading these pages from Highway to Swades, I realised that being a teacher is not just about delivering textbook lessons; it is about understanding students’ real-life problems and finding meaningful ways to help them learn.
The concept of Jugaad, finding simple, flexible, and practical solutions using available resources, made me reflect on the realities of classroom teaching. In a real classroom, every student is different. Some students understand concepts quickly, while others struggle because of language barriers, low confidence, limited support at home, or a lack of learning materials. As a teacher, I cannot expect every child to learn in the same way. Instead, I need to adapt my teaching according to their needs. For example, if students find mathematics difficult, I can use stones, seeds, bottle caps, or everyday objects to explain basic concepts instead of relying only on the textbook. If students can’t understand a science concept through explanation alone, I can connect it to things they observe in their surroundings. This reading reminded me that effective teaching doesn’t always require expensive resources; sometimes, a simple idea, a little patience, and an understanding of children can make a real difference. However, I also believe that jugaad should not become an excuse for accepting poor educational facilities. As a teacher, I must use my creativity to solve immediate problems while also recognising when students need better resources and institutional support.
The most important lesson I take from this reading is that when students fail to understand something, I should not immediately assume they are weak; I should first reflect on whether my teaching method meets their needs. I want to become a teacher who does not give up when a method fails, but instead tries a different approach until students have a fair chance to understand.
For me, Jugaad in education is not simply managing with fewer resources; it is using creativity, empathy, and practical thinking to turn classroom challenges into learning opportunities. A good teacher is not one who never faces difficulties, but one who responds thoughtfully, without compromising any child’s dignity, learning, or future.
Ms Rekha Sharma, teacher at Sunbeam School Mau
