I remember the time the government had asked for suggestions from parents and teachers alike with regards to the education system so that the same could be implemented in the National Education Policy (NEP). I, as a parent had given some notable feedback which, I am happy to say, was taken into consideration.
Now with the Goa government all set to implement this, I am hoping that it will be done so wisely. During this time, there is a certain disappointment that the academic scores of students in the State are below average. I think the fact lies not in the teachers or the students but the method of teaching.
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For one, the portion is vast. The teachers are told to complete the syllabus during a stipulated period of time which is insufficient to get an in-depth study of the same. Hence, teachers have to just rush through the portion. The result is that knowledge, whatever little gained, is only for the purpose of marks. Take for example Math – chapters shift from data handling, integers to Algebra in a span of one month. This is extremely confusing for the child, who does not get a proper grasp of any chapter. In fact, proper teaching with applicability for a period of one month of one chapter will go a long way in helping the student excel in that chapter and retain what is taught.
Secondly, the method of teaching languages is not practical at all. It is centred on writing and not speaking or understanding of the language. And then we say ‘why do our children not know Konkani or Hindi well’. Here again, there is the question of script. Why are children not given the choice of choosing between Devanagari or Roman script? Keeping in mind that a huge section of the population speak Romi, this would go a long way in spreading the language and making it more interesting to learn. Hence, no learning actually takes place with many students staring blankly at the teacher trying to figure out what is the meaning of the meaning of the word.
Thirdly, the use of notebooks. If the textbooks are good enough with proper MCQs at the end of each chapter, why do we need notebooks? Make the child think objectively and logically. Notebooks is only waste of paper and time; accept of course for languages, creative writing and history to some extent.
Then there is the question of homework. Why? What is the purpose? If the child is spending six hours in school to study and hopefully learn, why does the child need to come back home and study again? Home time is ‘me’ time (for the child) and family time. Haven’t we learnt anything from the Pandemic?
A happy child is a healthy child. Ask any student if they are happy to go to school (that is keeping aside meeting their peers), find out what their answer is. You will be surprised about the insight you would have gained. We need a happy and healthy generation.
Change in the education system with the practical method of teaching and making learning fun will definitely go a long way in having brighter, healthier, and happier young minds.
