There is a lot of discussion these days and every one is concerned about the standard of education in the country and specially, the abysmal low standard in Goa. This State being one of the smallest ones could have been a harbinger of excellence in this field. Unfortunately, all these years it had the lowest priority for education. However, now it looks like everyone has realized that this state of affairs cannot continue any longer. Therefore it is essential that we try to change this for the future of our children and the state of Goa.
With the implementation of RTE Act there was a need to introduce a number of changes as a follow up measure.
First of all we have failed to follow all the directions and guidelines given in the RTE Act. There was a need to appoint Advisory Council or Board, which we have not formed in the State. Since it was mentioned that the schools in Goa work less there was an increase half an hour of school per day with additional working days by reducing holidays without a proper change in the programme and the curriculum. This was meaningless and another exercise in futility. Hence there is a need to analyse different aspects that require to change.
CCE – One of the best methods to bring in an all round development of a child was introduced without proper training of teachers. There was a need to introduce a minimum attendance for the children to be promoted to the next class. It was essential that a child at least attends the class for a certain period to give an opportunity for the teacher to make the child class fit – one of the aims of CCE. Now, there is a demand for total change by abolishing CCE. Another step backward without considering the reasons for its failure. There is no doubt that it has been a failure due to its faulty implementation and not because the programme was bad. There was a need to work towards reducing the number of students in each class. If finance is a constraint then this could have been done in phases spread over 3 to 5 years to achieve the ideal number.
TEACHERS – This is the main body that has to have enhanced quality and efficiency, which is ultimately responsible for the execution and implementation of changed curriculum and planning. There is no doubt that utmost care has to be taken in selecting and appointing teachers. It is envisaged under RTE Act to screen the teachers with the Teachers Eligibility test. Very good suggestion but this test should be before the candidates enrol for B.Ed. or D.Ed. and not after undergoing training for one or two years. You cannot tell a candidate who has passed his/her training programme that you are not fit to be a teacher as money and time is spent in getting trained.
INSERVICE TRAINING PROGRAMMES – Every teacher should be made to attend in service training programmes once every 3 years. These programmes should be devised to update the teacher with new methods of teaching, use of modern teaching aids and computer aided innovations in teaching. The faculties for these programmes should be efficient to carry this task to its goal. The duration should not be less than 2 weeks and thus one third of teachers can be covered every year. At present in service programmes are just conducted to meet the statistical number and incur the sanctioned expenditure with no productive benefit. Instead of reducing vacations the teachers should be made to attend these programmes during vacations and should not disturb the working of the schools. At present the training programmes are held during class days, wherein the teacher misses regular teaching in classes.
CALENDAR OF SCHOOLS – For this we have to draw a fine line between a) Primary (i.e. I to IV in Goa) and b) Secondary and Higher Secondary. The schools working hours per week exclusive of breaks or recess – a) 33 hours with 30 instructional hours b) 40 hours with 35 instructional hours. Working days for both sections 230 to 235 with minimum 210 to 215 instructional days. We should keep in mind that just by increasing hours and days we will not get the desired effect but only dedicated efforts with minimum time can produce maximum results. The schools may be given the liberty of completing these hours in 5 or 6 days in a week. The increase in working hours can be done in a phased manner so that at the end of 3 years all will have the same number of hours. The schools having shift system should also stop this practise at the end of 3 years by making efforts to build additional rooms within this period. The mid day meal supplied should be a real mid day meal with the responsibilities to be given to PTA, with helpers as provided at the moment.
CHANGES IN RTE ACT FEATURES – There is a provision in the RTE Act for every State to adopt certain rules to make it more effective. But we have failed to make these changes. In the Act every child cannot be detained from I to VIII and every child should be admitted as per age. Here responsibility is thrust on the teachers/schools to make the student class fit but no responsibility on the child to attend the class for at least certain number of days. How can a teacher make him/her class fit if he/she is not available for the fitness programme? Hence many schools have cases of students enrolling and attending for some days in June and thereafter in March of the academic year.
SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE – In order to retain the children for longer hours in the school and bring all round development in the child we have to develop the school infrastructure. Besides academic teaching there should be development of skills and talents of the child. Additional rooms well equipped for each task will be required in each school. Funds and planning should be provided so that at the end of 3 years all the schools will be fully geared for the task.
SYLLABUS & CURRICULLUM – There has to be a total change in syllabus, mode of teaching, assessment and emphasising other facets of development of the child. At every stage teaching should be effective and with a purpose by more emphasis on practical and applied knowledge. The number of subjects in all classes specially IX to XII should be on par with CBSE. At present the emphasis is on languages with 6 subjects at the local level.
These are just suggestions, which could open a larger debate and discussion for effective implementation to raise the standards of education in the state and the country.
(Celso Dias – Former Vice Chairman of Goa Board)
