Schools, Curriculum and Local Situations

Recently I visited Shorapur( A Taluk in North Karnataka) as part of my field practice at the University. It was 10 days visit and I could observe several positive changes that Azim Premji Foundation had brought there. But here I am writing about the things we are following in our schools which have no connection with the lives of the children. Schools are believed to be the place where children can create or construct knowledge from their life experiences with the help of curriculum. . We ( my classmate was also with me ) visited government schools. One day my classmate asked the students to draw some pictures in one school. The children were drawing looking at the pictures of animals in the textbook. In between One of the child told us that she saw none of the birds pictured in the textbook and they are not present in his place. So what we are providing to our children has no connection to them and we are expecting them to 'construct' knowledge. Where will they construct it boss? if they don't have a basement to start with.

We also went to school situated near a Lambani Community ( a community which used to live not in a single place like 'Banjaras") They have their own language and children are using this language along with Kannada in the schools. But they are highly demotivated to use their language and was allowed to use Kannada in the school. In the name of system and education are we destroying the cultures and languages of people which is the beauty and strength of our country.

The temperature at Shorapur was 40- 45 degree Celsius. In many schools children were wearing tie ! I am happy that our children are at least surviving this 10 years of school education.

I am the truth

Qn: Why do you put 'target board' on entrance?

Ans: With out targeting the goals we won't achieve anything. Didn't you see target list in corporate companies for their employees? It is similar to that.

Qn: Oh.. Very nice sir. But will it create stress for them?

Ans: If you think in that way everything will be stressful and you can never achieve anything.

Qn: If one is not able to cop up what will you do?

Ans: We will give remedial classes for him to make him better.

Qn: Even then if he is not reaching the target, sir?

Ans: THERE WON"T BE ANYONE LIKE THAT'.....

Qn: Oh my God.... We understand Sir and eventually we forget that this is school and you are the principal. We wish you will get 100% result for upcoming board exams and RIP for these children.

Ans:Any more questions?

Qn: Enough Sir...Thank you very much.

Vocational Education

Talking with someone who uses hands to earn his livelihood was my first practicum. I decided to talk to my father who is a carpenter. He studied the carpentry skills from his father by observation. Carpentry has two main parts in the learning process. One is the use of hand and tools effectively in furniture making and second is the understanding of mathematical calculations and measurements. The pace in learning these skills also differs from person to person. He said he like the mathematical calculations and designing of furniture. Observation and practice are the key factors in the learning process of carpentry skills. The he talked about his school days. He remembered that he used to work in a weaving shop in his school. He used to make bathing towels, kerchiefs etc. and sell it neighboring houses. This was practiced as a part of their curriculum. It was very surprising to me that if during that time our schools were practicing curriculum which based on Gandhian principles on education why we can’t practice it in our schools. Nowadays it is very difficult to find a school which follows such kind of practice which enables students to develop their vocational skills and responsibility in a practical way. It poses lots of questions to us about our present education system and need of action.