Geetanjali Krishna: Lessons for government schools

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Government schools are like factories," wrote Mohan, "where knowledge is put inside students' minds, no matter what they think." He's one of the 15 students from the capital's government schools, in the advanced English conversation class at Manzil, an alternative learning centre.

In a discussion about their experiences at school, they wrote up some thought-provoking ideas and suggestions for improvement.

"In school, I always struggle for freedom," wrote Ashish, echoing the majority's opinion that the school curriculum was too restrictive, "even if you're not interested in a subject, you have to study it and pass exams."

Anish said, "there's no joy in learning "" the teacher comes to class and students silently bear him. They can't pose questions, because that's not what good students should do!"

Most felt that good teachers were few and far between in government schools. "They don't teach with honesty," wrote Dilwar, "they're government servants and get salaries anyway. They also give private tuitions and charge whatever they want!"

He added, "I found school life so boring that I dropped out after class ten and am continuing through correspondence!" One reason for unsatisfactory teaching, they felt, was the low teacher-student ratio in government schools.

"Since there are so many students in the class, teachers don't have the time to give attention to everyone," wrote Ashish. "In our school, there's a lack of teachers, and the ones who do come to class, are rude, with a bad style of teaching," Kishore complained.

Some even complained of mistreatment by teachers. One wrote that often, teachers treated their students like servants, expecting them to wait upon guests in parties and get milk for their tea from the market.

Another common complaint was that their textbooks were too tough and long for self-study. "The NCERT books published by the government should be in easier language," wrote Raja, a point that Mohan seconded. "Our textbooks should have simple and easy words," he wrote.

Most of their suggestions for improving government schools had to do with improving the quality of teaching. Arun felt that if teachers' salaries were increased, they may not need to take tuitions. Ashish wanted schools to initiate programmes to help destroy barriers between teachers and students. Anish said that if teachers would only become friends with their students, it would be a step forward.

Kishore suggested that government schools should have a rule prohibiting government schoolteachers from giving private tuitions. Like Mukesh, many felt that there should be no exams in the early school years "" Anish went to the extent of saying that children should not even go to school until they are 10.

Alternative teaching methods found favour. Mukesh felt schooling should be child-friendly, focusing on creativity instead of on passing exams. Uma argued that schools should have more outings to open children's minds to the outside world. Raja wanted extra classes on subjects like health, yoga, karate and boxing.

He suggested that subjects like geography and science be taught practically and through educational trips to make them more interesting. Deepak felt that government schools should educate students on global problems "" "so children would know not to make similar mistakes in future".

Vinay had the final word: "We've been told that children are the future of our nation. But they have to impart practical knowledge to us, rather than make us memorise books, to enable us to make a difference!"

(geetanjalikrishna@yahoo.co.uk)