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A variation to the same concept articulated earlier
Fr Savio's “Need for
Introspection” in the Herald dated August 23 2013 makes interesting
reading. I agree our education system needs some serious work, he
highlights important issues but no solutions. The Catholic Bishops
Conference of India (CBCI) has brought out an “Education Policy”
which the Bishop is struggling to implement. The policy is aimed at
delivering good quality education.
I disagree with his
criticism of the no fail policy. It is a good system badly
implemented. Fr. Savio actually provides the solution when he states
that our “one size fits all” policy is the culprit. Unfortunately
it contradicts his earlier position that allowing a student to drop
an uncomfortable subject will hamper his growth later. The reason
kids are not interested is because they have no interest in what is
being taught. He asks, why are right brain subject being
marginalised.
The only reason we have
Apple and it famous “I” products is because Jobs took a course in
calligraphy, the rest is history. Mr. Newman, the former Principal,
famously said that he has no interest in maths and only uses it to
ensure that he gets the correct change back after he has paid for his
goods. So learning compound interest, constructions in geometry etc
were water on a ducks back.
The Goa Board has
addressed this issue through circular no 55. Only one school to my
knowledge, Regina Mundi has actually implemented it. So far, three
students have been allowed to drop an inconvenient subject and take
another. How many Principals are willing to adopt this system which
allows for tailoring of the course to fit the child.? How many are
aware it exists.?
This is the basis of
the National Open School where they offer both right brain and left
brain subjects. The reason for Principals or Head masters shying away
from tailoring is also mentioned by Fr, Savio. The school has to many
administrative jobs, bal rath, midday meal, election duty and the
like. This surely takes away the academic focus. Why not sub contract
these jobs to an outside agency. Each school complex can be managed
by one set in a centralised manner which is not impossible with
mobiles, internet and computers.
Once the children begin
to enjoy school they will stop misbehaving and labeling of “useless
or duffer” will stop and along with it the rebelling. I recall when
there was a “fail policy” coming to a new class and being joined
by a few kids who had failed once or twice before and actually had no
hope of ever clearing. It was a matter of time before they dropped
out either because they began bullying and were rusticated or because
they just grew old.
Now rustication is not
an option and it is frowned on by Fr Savio. When it was available did
it stop misbehaviour. We have laws, jails and courts do we have less
crime. Bad behaviour is a symptom and not the cause. The cause is
clearly wrong fit or choice of subjects offered. So we need rules and
calendars just as we cannot do away with laws because there is crime.
What we as a society
should be focused on is ensuring that the child is sufficiently
trained to face life. Not all want or can become Doctors and
Engineers. So if a child cannot or does not want say maths or
language, so be it. Let him choose something else. Without maths he
cannot choose engineering later, but surely such a student is sure he
does not want that career choice, he may just want to become a good
Principal, let him.
The Government needs to
support Circular No 55 with options for courses in lieu of the
standard menu. Once this is done, drop outs will reduce and smiles
will be back.
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