Speech on ' Today school-Merits-Demerits and required changes'
Answers
Good morning everyone present. I feel immensely privileged to have got the opportunity to express my views on ‘Modern Schools-Their Merits, Demerits, and Required Changes.’ Schools have been venerated in our culture since ancient times. They are called as ‘Temples of Knowledge’. Our schools and education system was influenced by: first Mughals and then the British.
Most of the current schools across India are the product of the British education system with many reforms introduced after the independence. Most of the renowned and other progressive schools in the country are affiliated to either state educational boards, or CBSE or ICSE. In the last few decades the number of CBSE affiliated schools has increased exponentially. The CBSE has been introducing educational reforms to improve the standard and quality of Indian education on par with the schools in the advanced countries.
For example a few years ago CCE pattern was introduced. CCE refers to a system of school based evaluation of student that covers all aspects of student development. The major emphasis of CCE is on the continuous growth of students ensuring their intellectual, emotional, physical, cultural and social development and therefore it will not be merely limited to assessment of learner’s scholastic attainments. CCE uses assessment as a means of motivating learners to provide feedback and do follow up to further improve upon the learning in the classroom and to present a comprehensive picture of a learner’s profile. It is an activity-based learning methodology that divides the academic year into two terms, SA1 and SA2 that are further divided into FA1, FA2 under SA1; and FA3, FA4 under SA2. Thus the burden of learning so many chapters of all the different subjects near the examination has been considerably reduced.
In spite of the reforms, not much improvement has happened. Still there are many flaws. The incompetent teachers, red-tapism, traditional and orthodox outlook of the educationists are hampering the progress and quality improvement of education in our country. Still, teachers are not implementing the reforms and new methodology conscientiously. They are using short-cut ways to do their FA activities. For example, teachers are giving unfair marks to undeserving students in the name of conducting FA activities. India is preparing herself for the challenges of 21st century. She needs more skilled professionals, scientists, doctors, engineers, administrators, and qualitative human resource. It is possible only by bringing about improvement and qualitative changes in our education system.
I strongly feel more and more practical and vocational subjects must be taught at the schools. There must be more use of ICT tools in teaching and other aspects related to the education. Reformation is a never ending process and we must keep reforming our education system more regularly. I hope the entire nation will put in its heart and soul, especially the teachers, educationists, and policy makers to bring further changes in the schools to make them the best schools in the world.