Article By:

Manasa Hegde
Advocate Blogger

Back in the 90’s, becoming a class leader was no less than winning the Olympics of Childhood. Forget cricket trophies or drawing competitions the real medal of honor was chalk in hand, standing near the blackboard, writing down names of the noisy ones like a mini-police inspector. The thrill of scribbling “Rahul  talking” in bold letters was enough to give us goosebumps. And if someone dared to talk again? Oh, the glory of adding two ticks beside their name. Absolute power!

Every week, the crown changed heads  from the topper who actually enjoyed maintaining silence to the backbencher who used it as an opportunity for sweet revenge. The fun wasn’t just in leading, but in watching how each leader ran their “kingdom.” Some became dictators, some turned comedians, and some were generous enough to let the class draw quietly (a blessing compared to solving 50 maths problems).

Fast-forward to today, I rarely hear my kids talk about this tradition. Schools seem busier with projects, digital screens, and fancy activities. But then one fine day, my younger one  all of 2nd grade  marched home and announced:

“Amma, I was the class leader! And my row was silent. I even allowed them to draw, but I kept discipline.”

I almost had tears in my eyes not because of her silence-maintaining skills (trust me, at home it’s the opposite!) but because the spark of leadership was alive again. The pride in her eyes reminded me of my own childhood battles with chalk, duster, and power.

Honestly, this tiny ritual is more than just about keeping quiet. It’s about responsibility, confidence, and giving every child  whether a chatterbox or a shy soul a chance to feel like they are in charge. It’s the first “leadership training program” we all unknowingly attended.

So dear schools, if you’ve tucked this tradition away, please dust it off and bring it back. Because who knows? Today’s chalk-wielding class leader might just be tomorrow’s CEO, Prime Minister, or at least… a parent telling their kid proudly, “Back in my day, being class leader was like winning an Olympic gold!”