D. Balakrishna and R Venkatesh
Education is possible and thrives under peaceful circumstances, but can we use education to promote peace? Here are a few suggestions.
Category: Comment
Engaging students with the world
Guncha Mehta
Why is a language class looked down upon by students who feel that there is no need to master a language when their goals or aspirations are inclined towards the sciences? How can students be made to realise the value of a language and its importance in the larger scheme of things? One way is for teachers to bring a global perspective to the language class so that this ‘irrelevant subject’ can get its worth.
Instructed versus acquired learning
Seetha Anand Vaidyam
If we think about it, in life most of what we know is self-learnt. This perhaps should tell us that we must cut back on deliberate instruction in school and give children more freedom to think and explore on their own. This process will enhance their ability to learn, which in turn will help them imbibe what is taught.
What is wrong with the Indian education system?
Rajesh Kumar Thakur
If education in this country has to improve then the quality of teachers we produce has to improve, people with a flair and passion for teaching have to join the profession. Teachers build the future of a country and that is why it is extremely important that we train and select our teachers with great care.
What’s in a name?
Indira Subramanian
This subject is known by different names – social studies, social science, or just plain social, and while it may seem that they are all the same, the approach to teaching-learning the subject will differ depending on what you are calling it. So be alert and know what you are teaching/learning. Is it social, social studies or social science?
Shifting goalposts, unfulfilled demands
Anuradha C
The insecurities and inequalities faced by private school teachers is a serious malaise plaguing the educational world. Most private school teachers were not paid salaries on par with central government school teachers, especially after the Seventh Pay Commission brought in much needed policy reforms in pay structures. While some state governments did follow up with their own pay revisions, needless to say, this was a token gesture and did not match the central government pay hikes. This article highlights a few steps that teachers and schools can take to ensure pay parity.
What’s it all about?
Brendan MacCarthaigh
This article throws light on some of the discoveries made by the author at a discussion session organized to help overworked and stressed teachers.
Teachers as standard bearers: professional norms and NEP 2020
Indira Subramanian
The one thing that seems to have remained constant in reports that assess student learning in this country is that the learning level of our students is not age-appropriate. Most often, the reason given for this is poor teaching standards. In an effort to improve the quality of teachers in India, the National Education Policy 2020 has proposed to introduce the National Professional Standards for Teachers. There are arguments for and against this and whichever side you may be on, it is certain that teacher standards will soon become a reality and therefore what is important is how best we can influence them.
Leaders learn leadership by leading life
Aditi Mathur and Ratnesh Mathur
All of us are leaders in some form or the other. But do we let children lead themselves? Why do adults end up putting obstacles in their children’s path to growth? This article celebrates leadership in children by the children themselves. Here are three stories on leadership by three children with their own views and ideas on how to lead.
Pre-primary education: balanced approach, need of the hour
Anil Kumar Gona
Are we shirking our responsibilities as parents? Do children as young as 2 and 3 need to go to schools? While these may be playschools in name, we must realize that these schools do more than just make our children play building unnecessary stress in little children.