Interview with S Ajay Kumar, Principal,
Kendriya Vidyalaya, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Recently,
KV School, Pattom, Kerala was selected as the best school in Education World
Indian School ranking. Established in 1964, this school has been introducing many
new strategies time to time and all of them are getting appreciation from the
children, parents, and the public. S Ajay Kumar, Principal of the school
speaks about the three strategies that should be included in the education
system and three strategies that should be avoided.
Strategies
that should be Included
Strategy-1:
Value Based Education
The
foremost important strategy that should be included in the school system is
value based education. Our children must know the best practices. They are
surely guided by values, but that are not enough. In order to make them the
best citizens in India, education system should focus on value based learning.
They must expand their horizons, and should make friendships with others and
should help others. With this objective in mind, we have introduced many
initiatives. Frequently, our children visit other schools and make friendship with
a student by gifting books. Students must also be able to face the challenges
and issues they come across in their life. Teaching community should give more
importance to this strategy. Under ‘Gift a book, get a friend,’ strategy, we
adopted a school and find friends in that school by presenting them books.
Strategy
-2: Utilization of Technology
We
are living in a technologically advanced world. Its influence can be seen in
each and every corners of life. Education institutions in India are also giving
importance to smart classes and digital education. However, education system is
not utilizing the technology fully. Smart classes and computer based education
are progressing in schools, but it is not utilized completely. Younger teachers
are tech savvy, but that is not the case of old generation. Teachers,
irrespective of age, must be well versed in technology, which is essential for strengthening
students technologically.
Today,
technologies are misused and students become addict to it. This tendency should
also be changed. They must know the power of technology, but they should not be
addicted to it. Parents and teachers can do a lot in this regard.
Strategy
3: Implementation of Good Study Habits
The
next important factor is the implementation of study habits among children. We are
visiting many schools in Kerala and interact with many students in our school
as well as other schools. Based on those interactions, we came to know that
there are no study habits among children. Study habits should be created in the
minds of students. Most students spend sleepless nights during the time of
examination. But, most of them do not devote a particular time period every day
for learning. Some spend only 30 minutes for studying, but that too are not on
regular basis. This habit should be changed. Students should devote some time
every day for their studies. The earning habit should be inculcated in the
minds of students.
Strategies
that should be Removed From Education System
Strategy
-1: Schools should be Excluded from Bundh and harthal
Lots
of academic losses are happening due to bundh, harthal, etc. The government, political
leaders and political parties must strictly avoid schools from these types of
agitations. The classes of students should not be lost due to these issues. Students
must get lots of time for learning and interacting with each other. Schools
should also implement an academic environment within the school. If they get
more time, they can utilize libraries and other medium completely. They will
also get lots of opportunities to develop their skills in the best possible
way.
Strategy
2: Curriculum should be Changed Frequently
This
is an important strategy that should be included in the education system. At
present, one syllabus is changing in every 8-10 years, which should be changed
completely. Lots of changes are happening every day. The thing that is novel
today becomes obsolete tomorrow. Therefore, students must be aware of these
changes. They must learn the new techniques and innovations. They must be
equipped with the latest happenings in the world and surroundings. As you know,
we are empowering our students to shoulder the responsibilities of tomorrows.
So, they must be able to understand it. So, changing the syllabus frequently is
indispensible. If possible, new syllabus should be introduced in every year.
Strategy
3: Say a Strict No to Punishments
Students should not be punished for their
faults. Due to the involvement of Human Rights Commission, these types of best
practices are implementing in schools. But, it should be introduced all schools
in India. Even today, lots of schools and teachers are adopting punishments to
teach students good lessons, but it is not good. We at KV school, Pattom never
punish students even if they come late, or fail to do their home works.
Instead, we are adopting some entertaining strategies to develop responsibilities
in the minds of students. Once we stopped punishments, good results can be seen
in the performance of students. They improved their talents, they started
behaving with teachers and elders with respect. They also started learning
responsibly. We are very happy to see all these changes. We are strengthening
our students by giving them counseling. We are promoting our students in 360
degrees. We removed punishment from our school permanently. We will not even
say a harsh word to our students. If there is any issue, we will inform to the
parents. When we stopped punishment, the result is tremendous. We are
developing a cordial atmosphere within the school.
Teaching
Students in the style of KV school, Pattom
KV
school is giving importance on the development of physical, mental, internal,
external factors of a student. They are finding the talents at the younger age
and give lots of opportunities to develop their talents. We are also aware of
developing the learning skills and thinking of students. We are also giving
physical activities like sports. Lots of opportunities are given to learn new
things and think differently.
We
got award for our “Face a Book Challenge.” This program focuses on the
intellectual development of a student. We give a book to the students and ask
them to prepare videos, presentations, etc. They will also give an opportunity
to present it during the assembly. We got lots of appreciation for this
program.
Maths
Clinic is another program, which is introduced for students to make learning
mathematics in an interesting way. In this program, a student from +1 or +2
becomes the doctor of this clinic and 2 girls will be selected as nurses. The
small students, who are backward in maths will be selected as patients. Just
like a doctor giving medicines after checking a patient, the doctor in math
clinic also teach these students. So, they can learn addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division in a fun way. Usually, this program is conducted
by the supervision of a teacher. But, students can undertake it without
supervision.
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Another
innovative strategy is the use of Password. Each day, we introduce new words
during assembly. That word should be used as a password in the entire day. The
new word and its meaning will be explained in the notice board. Students should
use this password for entering the class if they are late.
Break
everything and read a book is the other novel initiative. In this process, the
classes will be stopped and ask everybody to read a book. During this time, all
students, teachers and other staff must read a book. They should also create an
opinion on the basis of the book they read.
Pattom
school becomes the best in India because of the introduction of these types
innovative and novel ideas.
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