Crash courses for underprivileged children, skill development programmes in government schools, engaging children in constructive activities to keep them away from nefarious activities, virtual classrooms, and video-conferencing with the best teachers from across the country are some of the key suggestions being submitted by the city residents to formulate policies on education in Chandigarh. The UT Administration conducted a discussion on education and health on the national web portal, mygov.in, Friday, which saw a majority of people advocating for an upgrade in infrastructure in government schools. One of the residents submitted, “I believe that courses in music and dance should be started for developing skills in underprivileged children. Engaging children in any kind of constructive work after school hours would help them to be away from nefarious activities.” Commenting on the above suggestion, another resident wrote, “Children should be trained in playing the guitar, the tabla, etc. Children get interested in fine art activities very fast. It is also important to find tutors who have a flair for teaching such children. With our MP being from Bollywood, I feel it will not be a difficult task to start such activities in Chandigarh.” Residents also commented on the RTE Act. “First, the private schools need to compulsorily educate all children. Our city should not have any drop-outs or a student who has never been to school. Chandigarh needs to make sure that by next year, each and every child (6-14-year-olds) is in school,” read one of the submissions. A resident also suggested that the UT Administration develop an application where students pursuing vocational courses such carpentry, textile designing, stenography, electronics technology, etc could track the companies offering internships to them. “This could be a direct link between the UT Education Department and the industries and companies in the city,” he said. Residents also recommended the concept of virtual classrooms, where mathematics and science could be taught through digital boards and digital content of textbooks.
