Developing space for debate and dialogue
Many social scientists and cultural critics have talked about the loss of spaces in which we can freely engage with ideas, discuss and debate currents issues, learn how to articulate our thoughts in a reasoned and persuasive manner, and learn to listen to and appreciate other people’s viewpoints. We sit in front of out television sets and watch other people talk about issues of the day; we send in our agreement and disagreement through SMS and email; we tweet one line opinions and reactions…and feel like we have participated. But is this really the culture of a participative democracy? Where, in reality are the places that allow us the time and the space to express ourselves at length and to really get into an issue? Do people even see the value in such activities?
Fortunately, educational institutions still give us that. The classroom, and to some extent the assembly, are important versions of the “public sphere” that must be nurtured and protected. Within these relatively safe spaces, children can learn to sharpen their ideas and their wits and express themselves thoughtfully while listening to others do the same. They can learn the value of open discussion and the need to explore the million different threads of a given issue. They can learn about how consensus is built and how to use words to sway opinion through logic as well as well honed emotion. True, all this happens in debate and elocution competitions, but when taken to the competitive stage it is merely performance and not real engagement. What we are talking about here is discussion and dialogue for their own sake, for the purpose of clarifying thought. Offering children such opportunities – in fact insisting that they take advantage of them – may over time develop the very abilities that are so badly needed in the adult world: articulation, assimilation of varied points of view and ideas, and tolerance of these.
As in every issue of Teacher Plus, we try to raise some of the concerns and issues current in the field of school education, in a manner of sparking debate among readers. This issue looks at the position of curriculum in a teacher’s job, and continues the discussion of the Right to Education Act that Maya Menon set out in the February 2010 issue. We are pleased that we have received responses to Maya’s initial note, and hope that teachers, school administrators and all those interested in child education will think about this and share their views through the forum provided by Teacher Plus as well as in other spaces.
Hi,
We indians disucss a lot but implement too little. Just look within our families, our friend circles or on tv channels.There are scores of topics to be discussed and issues to be debated about. India is a vibrant country with centuries of rich history and numerous national heroes. So its not surprising that our favourite pass time is indeed indulging in disucssions!!
We as indians are fortunate to have this liberty to express ourselves no matter who we are, the situation is not so in many other countries.What we lack is the value of this freedom and the respect to our democratic status. We have often made a mockery of this status.Misusing this freedom to write and speak comes with accountability and responsiblity…which i dont see currently in our masses.This is sad and is not the ideal meaning of democracy.
I feel that our print and visual media has a long way to go.They need to cover issues on many other social aspects rather than milking a superstar every time for higher TRP ratings!!
I am just back from UK and it was great to see their political debates and news channels when i was there.The community in all is very orgnaised and respects the freedom to express by best means.
Many thanks for bringing up inspirational columns almost every time in your lovely magazine.
Hope to meet up the team once again….soon:)
Day by day i am liking the content of your magazine.The concepts are different each time and i am forced to reflect on same hence its the best food for my brain!!:)
An excellent article ! As you rightly pointed out, the school is the best place to learn how to express opinions, debate about issues and listen to other’s opinion and importantly be able to rationally tolerate, accepts or reject others opinions.
Sadly most classrooms have little room for open discussions, teachers are too busy transacting and completing the syllabus. We can only make classrooms places of open discussion if we are able to make the staff-rooms that way too.
Teachers need to have a space to discuss, debate and express freely their opinions, spaces for creativity and understand the benefits of discussion topics outside their classrooms and syllabus, only then will they see the benefits of the same for their students!
This magazine gives many opportunities for teachers to do the same. Have you thought about translating it to our local languages so government school teachers may also benefit.
very good idea!!!
but i think the pattern of our examination restricts above idea.because students are forced to concentrate only for examination and to get better marks and getting seats in good institutions.so from the primary class itself students should have compulsory activities(of their choice)like “story telling,singing dancing,…..of cource we are all following all these but considering it seperate from curricullum.students think that these are not required for examination.from that stage they stop sharing their ideas and hence they stop asking questions.they also start thinking that only geting marks in MATHS,SCIENCE are important .so in the intial stage only we sholud give some topics, ask them to speak about it {other than regular syllabus)this cultivates the habit of exploring things which makes them to discuss boldly in the class room finally i conclude that teachers should have a good knowledge .
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