Crisis in School system

crisis in school system Posted by: "Sheetal - Karmayog" info@karmayog.org Fri Jan 27, 2012 3:46 am (PST) Wipe the Blackboard Clean....URMI GOSWAMI Only when schools and teachers are empowered can there be a visible difference in outputs Two reports, Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and Annual Status of Education Report in Rural India (ASER), leave no doubt that there is a crisis in the country's school system. Children, even when they attend school, are not learning as well as they should. This is not new. The response has been to stress on interventions to improve the 'quality', particularly of government schools. This debate needs to be anchored in facts if we are to avoid jumping to the conclusion that the government school system has failed or that it doesn't require the exchequer's support. First, there is a difference between learning the 3Rs (reading, writing and arithmetic), textbook learning and learning to think. ASER surveys children's skills of basic reading and maths skills at primary school or class-V level using standard texts. PISA tests critical thinking in maths, science and reading; it doesn't measure memorisation, rather demands drawing on knowledge and real-world problem-solving skills. Second, low learning levels plague the entire Indian school system. The focus has been on government-run schools. Though not quantified to the same extent, the learning problem is experienced in private schools as well. The problems revealed by ASER are likely to be less evident in private schools, because these schools cost money, pre-supposing that children who attend it have the requisite home environment and resources to buttress their school learning. Third, as the biggest education provider, problems in the government system are more evident. One reason why low learning outcomes is a bigger problem in government schools is because most of these children come from poor, disadvantaged and marginalised families, and often they are the first-generation learners. Given the sheer size of the government school system and the diversity, devising toscale solutions is difficult. Fourth, there has been a perceptible rise in the enrolment in private schools. Just about anyone with a bit of surplus money is sending their children to private schools. Two factors that contribute to this migration are teacher apathy and aspiration. A standard complaint is that teachers in government schools are not interested in teaching; often don't even come to the class. In private schools, because the management has far greater oversight, teachers - even when paid, according to some studies, only 20% or just 10% of a government teacher's salary - are seen in classrooms. Private schools invariably address aspirational issues such as teaching English and computers. So, the perception is that only private schools can help peopl

Stress and Coping workshop for 10th,11th and 12th std students of Municipal school at Shiravne

Workshop conducted at Kala Kendra, Shiravne village, near Nerul .70 particpants included students and parents. Facilitator : Johnson Thomas, Director, Aasra Host: Children of the World

Answer Sheets are not secret documents, RTI chief/ New developments in the educational reforms sector

It's been a hectic few weeks of positive developments in the education field especially where the board exams are concerned. The HRD Minsiter has already set in motion several steps to abolish the CBSE board exams. Schools have begun evolving into better and comprehensive educational zones as a result. It took just a few weeks for the curriculum and modus of education to change in the CBSE schools. Students who were presurrised to do projects beyond their capabilities and give tests and exams at every level have found that the pressure has begun to ease a little. More and more recreational subjects have been introduced and the number of projects to be evaluated on has decreased. Students are already beginning to feel the stress level go down...

In a welcome change has taken place... the previous stand of the boards -of not entertaining applications by students to see their answer sheets, has been struck down by the Pune Information commissioner(RTI) . The Chief Mr Vjay Kuvalekar has asked the state boards to amend their policy within a stipulated time so that studenst will be allowed to inspect their answer sheets at the earliest. It is definitely a development of great import. The previous stand violated the fundamental rights of a student. This welcome change was brought about by a petition filed by HSc student Abhijit Joshi with the HSc board which the board promptly rejected saying that the answer sheets were confidential documents. But Joshi was not one to give up. He filed an RTI application with the Information Commissioner chief heard both sides and came to the conclusion that answer sheets could not be equated as confidential documents and therefore had to be shown to the student on request.Kuvalekar pointed out that answer sheets were not covered under section 8 of the RTI act. It's is not possible for the viewing of answer sheets to affect the soveriegnty and integrity of India(which can be the only reason for documents being kept secret). I think this move will be welcomed by all aggrieved students and parents who felt their children might have fared better than the marks received from the board. Hopefully the board will come to it's senses and do the needful.


Yet anther development is the Shiv Sena's opposition to the ATKT for students who have failed the board exams. This seems to be a clearly politically motivated move to capture the votes of the naysayers. It must be understood that students have to go through immense trauma when they fail such exams denoted as integral to the future, by society. There is no way that quality of education will be affected by this move. In fact it will only improve the quality when students feel less stressed and more able to inculcate the teachings the education system dishes out as part of it's curriculum. There are so many students getting depressed and attemting suicide because falure in these board exams gets them ostracised from their near and dear ones, they feel alienated and unsupported and their sense of well-being is majorly affected because the people who they have come to depend on make them feel worthless. Are these students lives not precious? Or is it better to sacrifice their lives, hopes and ambitions on the altar of educational quality?????




The emotional and academic pressures of high school and college life, while manageable and even exciting for most students, can be simply overwhelming for others. Such students may not yet have attained the level of maturity necessary to develop adequate coping skills, or they may be struggling with relatively long-standing emotional difficulties that are exacerbated by the transition to having to give board exams and the move to college.

For Faculty , staff and peer group

As a helper, due to your position, status, and visibility on campus, students experiencing emotional distress may turn to you for help. Or, because of your role, you may find yourself confronted by a disturbed or disturbing student who needs assistance. The way in which you respond in these situations could have a significant impact on the student's ability to deal constructively with his or her emotional conflicts.

Consultation

At AASRA we offer consultation services to faculty, staff and others on a full range of student development issues. In your attempt to help a student, you may benefit from input from a counseling professional.


AASRA caregivers can suggest possible approaches to take, intervene directly with students, or provide you with support. Please call our offices at 91-22-27546667 for assistance.

Your Role as Faculty, Administrators, and Staff

Because of your position, students may turn to you frequently to obtain advice and support. Although you are not expected to provide counseling, it is helpful for you to understand the critical role you can play in:

* responding to student problems & concerns.
* identifying signs that indicate a student is in need of help.
* making a referral to student development professionals.

workshop at marthoma school -govandi

AASRA volunteers conducted a workshop for Parents and Students of STD IX at MARTHOMA SCHOOL-GOVANDI , MUMBAI
the workshop was conducted in 2 shifts from ie.11am to 2pm and 3pm to 5 pm as per the convenience of the parents.

Marthoma school is situtated near the slums of Govandi Station. Its a small school struggling to upgrade its standard of education in any which way it can.
The headmistress is very co-operative and understanding and is completely devoted to helping the students and teachers to cope with LIFE in general and depression , despair and exam pressure in particular.
This workshop was the sixth one that we were ocnducting.
To say that the workshop was a success would be an understatement.
The parents and students left with the understanding that
1. communication is important to enhance realtionships.
2. life is worthwhile and education is an important tool to realise dreams.
3. young adults value their independence.
4. parents say many things in anger but do not really mean to hurt the children.
5. students have to lean to say THANK YOU to their parents
6. they could contact AASRA when they are in despair.