Thread by @UntergrundmannG

This illustrates tokenism and half-measures taken to the extreme. And a large part of the problem is the teaching community in these IIsT (and the like).

When you think of Reservations for a particular class of people, you also have to anticipate the problems ... +

... they might face in adapting to the expectations of making it to and thriving in an atmosphere they have no exposure to (socially/culturally).

"If you got in here, you're expected to *get it* on your own and by yourself" - does not cut it. And it's self-serving AF...
+

... because it excuses the teaching community from actually thinking through what they are REQUIRED to do - to make sure the "reserved" category of students cope, thrive and succeed.

When you decide you're going to take affirmative action, you've got to anticipate ... +

... what IT WOULD BE LIKE for those students. You have to have the imagination to be able to empathize enough and structure your teaching approach to their needs. Not say - "You've made it and now you're on your own".

That just shows that you're either dumb AF or inept ... +

... as a teacher (because it is your teaching ability which is under question, if students drop out).

It's doubly difficult, if not outright impossible, for kids to come up from where they do and somehow adapt, when YOU - as a teacher - cannot.

It's no surprise, actually... +

... that this psychological pressure and unnecessary burden of unreasonable expectations weighs heavily on them. So, they leave - because they're consistently made to feel that they're a "burden" that the others have to bear.

This goes deeper, BTW. Attitudes "leak", no matter how you might mask them. Kids from disadvantaged backgrounds pick up the smallest of cues in your responses to them versus the "regular" "meritorious" kinds.

The thing about psychology - if things are that deep-rooted - ...+

... is that these beliefs/attitudes leak. Particularly under stress e.g. when dealing with additional work relating to making what you're teaching easily understood to those you believe "don't have it in them".

And IF your attitudes leak, you've failed in your duty ... +

... and responsibility as a leader/role-model, which is incumbent on you - the moment you claim you're a teacher.

Kids of 17/18 - when they come in - are impressionable #idiots. No matter how "bright" you'd want to believe they are. And they (un)consciously seek to ...+

... model themselves on you. That is - what they see of you. They don't *know* you (and won't), but they'll not miss the cues and mirror your attitudes. Including what LEAKS.

It's your bloody job to disabuse them of such nonsense. If you were to, the toxic peer environments...+

... which also contribute to the 'Reserved' category students quitting would be less so.

Your eyes should "light up" - not just when you talk to the "bright sparks" of the 'General' category, but also when engaging with someone 'Reserved' musters up the courage to walk up ... +

... to you and ask a Q or ask to clarify a doubt.

If you're not up for it, you're not fit to teach in any institute that advertises affirmative action.