The months of March and April are full of examinations in India as the academic session comes to an end. The situation of students is discussed in a lot of forums but very places have mention about the teachers. Being the daughter of a teacher, I have witnessed the situation on their side as well.
My mother was a teacher and was very economic, she always bought pens with replaceable refills. She would plan her schedule way before the examination season so we will see bulk of red refills bought. As soon as the exams would start, she would get bundles of answer sheets to check. Mom would make sure she had all the resources to check answer sheets no matter where she was in the house. So red pens would be placed on study table, dining table, coffee table or any other place where she might sit for 15 minutes or more. As the exams progressed, the refills would start getting over quickly. One day I needed to sign some form and I picked a black pen. My father came rushing with a loud “STOP”. He asked me try the pen in a rough paper. As soon as I scribbled on the rough sheet, I realized the black refill of the pen was replaced with red refill. Even the refills of the non-red pens were replaced with red refill. He gave me a black pen to sign the form. He kept it carefully in the cupboard with a “This is one of the last few pens with non-red refill left in the house”.
Today when I see students going for exams, it takes me back to my school days when we would stand outside the examination hall doing last minute revision till the bell was rung. It was the thought of the long summer vacation after exams that would keep me going. Next time you visit the house of a teacher during exams, don’t be surprised to see red pens everywhere.
Myriad Notions 
We rarely think about the teachers so this was interesting to read and understand what it’s like on the other side.
Thank you
As a son to both the teachers (mom and dad), I can relate to this more than you think. My dad passed away… Gotta take care of my best teacher now.
My mom keeps a green Uni Ball pen too (Father’s)…among other things…🖋️
Sorry to hear about your father. Thankyou
Hmmm interesting!
Back then having red pen was shocking!!
Friends were like ohh he has red pen, why?? He must be checking copies by his own.
I remember my classmates use to have red pen, then they use to give extra marks and then went to teachers for marks correction. 😛
If any student had red pen we too used to get curious
If teacher asked for red pen, and if one kid gives them a red pen, all the other kids were like, what??? why you have a red pen!!