During the COVID-19 pandemic when schools are closed across Bangladesh, online education has become an essential catchphrase. DPS STS School has been conducting regular online classes and activities since the beginning of the general holidays. In continuation of that, the school has arranged an online session with the renowned poet and YouTuber, Tomos Roberts, also known as ‘Probably Tom Foolery’. The session was attended by the students and teachers of DPS STS School Dhaka recently.
Robert’s poetic brilliance turned into global acclamation through a post-pandemic bedtime tale that has captured the hearts of millions. Roberts’s poem, ‘The Great Realisation’, was released on YouTube on April 29 and has been viewed more than 24 million times worldwide. It has also been translated independently into multiple languages, including Arabic, Hebrew, German, Spanish, French, Italian and Russian. A simple rhyming tale read as a bedtime story, it takes on heavy themes like corporate greed, familial alienation, the pandemic and comes up with a happy ending. Set in an unspecified future, the poem looks back on pre-pandemic life and imagines a ‘great realisation’ sparked by the scourge. The project began as a way for him to entertain and teach his young siblings during the lockdown. It’s turned out to be an effective and affecting home-schooling activity.
The session was hosted by Shalini Agarwala, Activities in-Charge, DPS STS School. Almost 200 students took part in the 40-minute-long session. Tomos Roberts shared his perspective on the ongoing global crisis and how it has been impacting our cognitive and intellectual dimensions. Tomos Robert’s stated, ‘I would like to visit DPS STS School in Bangladesh and meet the students in person.’
He also attended a Q&A session with the students, discussed poetry and spread his enthusiasm to fight back this global pandemic.
Madhu Wal, Principal DPS STS School stated, “We are very honored and privileged to have Mr. Robert Tomos among us. Just like the way he inspires the world through his words, he inspired us too. In this troubled time, such spirit will prepare us to face the challenges ahead. I sincerely thank him for being with our students and lifting their spirits within.”
