Schools to replace traditional teaching with innovative, child-friendly methods

Blackboards to be blacked out

Schools to replace traditional teaching with innovative, child-friendly methods

A 2004 government resolution (GR) states that schools need to get more child-friendly. That, it seems, will finally be put into practice with the Right to Education Act.

"Students will not be bogged down with blackboard teaching. They will be engaged in projects," said Anil Bedge, director of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT). "The teaching pattern will be changed in such a way that students will indulge in group discussions, project work and practical sessions in a group in classrooms."

Jayant Jain, president of All India Federation of Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), welcomed the move but said teachers had to be sensitised to it properly first.

"The move is welcome but teachers need to be evaluated to ensure that they are well-equipped to in this mode of teaching," said Jain.

The state education department is in the process of making changes after the RTE Act so that the education system is streamlined.

Bedge emphasised the fact that teachers need to create child-friendly classrooms and examination patterns in which children are encouraged to ask questions, share their experiences and discover themselves.

Neeta Lodhi, principal, SM Choksey High School and Junior College, said: "The policies are always for the betterment of the students, but it all also needs to be executed properly. If the atmosphere is needed to be made child-friendly, then the syllabi, text books and many other things needs to be changed to make it child friendly."