Students make a pitch for better teaching methods

November 15: As the new millennium draws near, students are increasingly expressing opinions about their teachers' performance that could...

November 15: As the new millennium draws near, students are increasingly expressing opinions about their teachers8217; performance that could prod the teaching community into some serious introspection. The latest to jump onto the teachers8217; performance-should-be-audited bandwagon is a report of a workshop involving students, teachers and parents. 8220;Ban tuition centres and coaching classes and take strict action against defaulting teachers,8221; reads the report, prepared by non-governmental organisations Young Men8217;s Christian Association and Avehi.

The NGOs conducted a three-day workshop with 125 participants from 23 schools across the city late last year. The report, though, was made public just recently. Students recorded that 8220;Only clever children are encouraged in extra-curricular activities.8221; They also described teaching methods as 8220;one way communication, lack of interaction, questioning is restricted8230;8221;.

8220;Value education is taught but not practised by teachers, parents, society at large. Productsmade by multinational corporations are used by teachers and elders while the concept of swadeshi is taught in schools,8221; said the students.

Students suggested that teaching should be interactive, interesting and should involve them. Techniques like debates, presentations, project work and teaching aids should also be deployed. Rote learning should be replaced by exploratory and more real life experiences. Homework should be minimised and made challenging .

The report maintained that poorly staffed schools with limited infrastructure like playgrounds, inadequately equipped laboratories, lack of laboratory assistants, librarians, arts and crafts teachers and teaching aids burden and demotivate both teachers and students.

The teachers too had suggestions, including continuous in-service training to upgrade knowledge and skills. 8220;Teachers should be relieved of clerical work. Some relief should also be given from examination supervision duty. Extra tutors and counsellors could be appointed and some of theclass correction work could be taken over by these tutors. Parents who are qualified and willing could extend their support and guidance to slow learners and those who need special help,8221; are some suggestions.

The report also quotes suggestions from noted social worker and educationist, Kalindi S Mazumdar. 8220;The last period of every day could be used for doing homework so that the children do not have to carry the burden home. This is currently being successfully done at the Cathedral and John Connon School at Fort,8221; she observed.

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8220;Value education, sex education, current issues and family life education must form a vital part of the curriculum. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and NGOs can be contacted to take these classes. This has been successfully implemented in the Bombay International school at the nursery level itself,8221; added Mazumdar. When asked to comment on the report, principals expressed their frustration over teachers whose performance dropped once they joined coaching classes.8220;Even I take tuitions with permission from my management. But that did not deter me from teaching my students,8221; said a principal of a south Mumbai school.

Another educationist pointed out, 8220;Teachers are only bothered about their pay-scales. Nobody talks about responsibilities which is specified in the Chattopadhayay Committee report in the early eighties. So, the merit holders in different examinations pay their obeisance to their respective coaching classes. The latter too advertise with pictures of meritorious students. It8217;s a vicious cycle.8221;

The secretary, Metropolitan Programme Committee, YMCA, Allen Kotian told Express Newsline, 8220;We have already distributed the report along with feedback sheets to over 500 English medium schools. For the benefit of the municipal schools, we have left several copies with the BMC8217;s education department. Once we compile the feedback, we will plan our next action.8221;