From bad handwriting to poor calculations, improper usage of grammar to lack of concentration, parents of about 16 lakh children studying in government schools in Delhi were today updated about shortcomings of their wards in the first-ever mega parent teacher meeting.
As parents queued up in government-run schools across the national capital today waiting for their turn to listen to feedback about their ward's performance, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia visited several schools to see if all was in order and how were parents responding to this initiative.
"Today PTMs have been organised in all government schools and parents of 16 lakh students have been invited today to attend the meeting. This is a new experiment and parents are excited about it that they are being involved in the schooling of their children.
"This is another step towards bringing the quality of education being imparted in government schools at par with that of private schools," Sisodia told reporters.
In order to make parents of government school students as "stakeholders" of education, Sisodia had earlier this week made an announcement for the Mega PTM which he described as first positive dialogue between parents and teachers.
While senior officials of the Education department including directors, deputy directors, and assistant director have been directed to hold a meeting with parents of government schools' students from 12 to 1 PM on Friday every week to address their issues, the mega PTM will be held twice a year.
"Our effort is that routine PTMs continue on weekly basis and a mega PTM conducted every six months. Parents should be welcomed in schools and they should be given proper feedback about their kid's performance," Sisodia said.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter to pat his Deputy's back for the initiative.
"Congrats Manish for organizing Mega PTM in govt schools. V heart warming stories coming from various schools," he said.
At the Rashtriya Pratibha Vikas Vidyalaya (RRPV) in Civil Lines, Sisodia met three alumni of the school who were not aware of the occasion and simply happened to be revisiting their alma mater today.
"We are from the 1998 batch and came back today to revisit our memories of school. I wish we had this concept in our days. But we are thrilled to see it being implemented now," said Nitin, one of the alumni.
Sisodia, who is also the Education Minister wrote an open letter to parents today asking them actively participate in the PTMs to nurture their ward's future.
