This would be good news for Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. At a time when his government is being accused of glorifying Hitler in school textbooks, Union HRD Minister Arjun Singh’s education planners have showcased a particular Gujarat education programme which has improved the quality of primary schools in rural areas.At a recent meeting of education officials from all states held in Delhi, the Government highlighted some good projects in primary education from some of the states. And topping the list was the Gujarat SCERT’s field survey conducted with support from Bhavnagar University and IIM Ahmedabad.It was one of the most elaborate education surveys ever carried out in the country. The ‘‘learning achievements’’ of children in Classes III to VIII were evaluated in each district. The sample size was quite big in each district, and the questions devised by the survey planners were innovative.The evaluators compared learning levels vis-a-vis ‘‘competency’’ levels anticipated in the textbooks provided to them. Special focus was laid on language skills, Mathematics and Environment Sciences. Kumud Bansal, Education Secretary, today said the results were very interesting.The survey identified ‘‘hard spots’’ and suggested teaching and learning remedies. Accordingly, the Gujarat SCERT devised a teacher training module for each class.‘‘It was a very innovative survey. And learning levels of the children can really go up if the suggestions are implemented. We wanted all governments to share this successful Gujarat experience,’’ Bansal said. HRD officials agreed that what was good about the survey was that it offered classroom remedies for teaching problems, and the teachers just needed to introduce a few changes.Apart from Gujarat, the states were also made to share mid-day meal scheme success stories from Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
