Sushama Yermal
This year when the union budget was presented in the parliament, much was made of the “huge” amount set aside for the education sector. It was also pointed out that this figure, the highest ever so far, was also around eight per cent higher than what was allocated in the previous year’s budget. So does this really call for a celebration? Are we finally doing what needs to be done to uplift public education?
Category: Comment
Cleaning up speech!
Pooja Birwatkar
Swear words have become commonplace especially among young adults. Are these words acceptable in a school environment? Should not the classroom be a place for good behaviour? What steps can teachers take to curb the use of these words in everyday language? This article lists a few strategies to address this issue.
Education for peace
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.
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.