When the ‘second’ language is introduced as the primary language of instruction, children often resort to rote learning without proper understanding. The bilingual approach, on the other hand would ensure learning thorough communication and not just memorisation. Bilingual systems also facilitate assessments in students…
Children’s learning outcomes are a function of child-centric teaching-learning practices in the classroom, the competency and motivation-level of their teachers, the inclusive, nurturing environment provided by the school and administrators, the dynamism of the educational agencies, accountability of all actors in the system, data and evidence-backed interventions, and availability of quality infrastructure and learning resources…
When we look at Ashramshalas, we appear to be grappling with first-line issues like infrastructure and resources – we need to look at the quality of education and opportunities as well! Why has the administration failed to attract teachers to such institutions?
Why is it taking us so long…? Is it time to think out-of-the-box?
Nowadays, sport isn’t given the kind of importance it deserves in schools. Sure, most schools have their respective teams that compete in tournaments, but that’s just one part of it. Not everyone has to play sport to be good at it and get selected for school teams. As the kids from the Shidpada school reminded me, sport is all about the joy of playing.
I look for answers
in all I do.
Why is the sun yellow,
And the sky so blue?
Equal Education is a movement of learners, parents, teachers and community members in South Africa, that engages in evidence-based activism and advocacy for improving equality and quality of education in schools. Continue reading
Menstruation – it’s not easy, and there’s no magic wand that can make it extremely bearable and smooth, all the time. Continue reading
In a three-part series, we attempt to understand RTE, its implementation, misinterpretations, roadblocks and the way ahead. We would like to encourage our readers to be part of this debate and help us take the conversation forward. Continue reading
Despite being a country that is grappling with the poor quality of education in schools and colleges, we have failed to recognise what this report has tried to bring to the fore: the gap between the increasing outreach of the system and its growing infrastructure vis-à-vis stagnating learning levels. Continue reading
I wonder how we should remember the legendary cartoonist in the coming years. We have lost a great cartoonist but more importantly, we have lost the silent spectator of marching time. He is needed more than ever, in this bizzare time. Continue reading
Looking back, it’s been a good year overall for CASER, Change Agents for School Education and Research, considering how we began, not too long ago with baby steps, in March-April, 2014.
Despite several things that we bemoan, when we look around and see all the good things happening, even if it is in small measure, one feels convinced that it’s gonna be a great year ahead! And India does have a bright future – but we can’t just cross our hands, complain and hope things will change. We need to be out there and be the change we want to see! Continue reading
Sanskrit as a language needs to be seen as an integral part of our culture and all efforts should be made to preserve and revive the language. Inability of studying the original treatise in Sanskrit will lead to loss of cultural heritage and diminished understanding. Since 95% of Sanskrit literature is non-spiritual in content and discusses music, dance, mathematics, astronomy, etc. in great depth, it has in fact inspired many renowned institutions of management, engineering, science, architecture and others across India. Continue reading
The Bal Swachhta Week, a sub-celebration of the Clean India aka Swachh Bharat Campaign saw the Researchers at Observer Research Foundation and Mahatma Gandhi Centre of Cleanliness, Sanitation and Community Health release ‘Change Agents for Swachh Bharat’ at Nityanand Municipal Primary School, Andheri with the support of Ms Mansi Apte, the Education Officer. The release … Continue reading
There’s a need to educate everyone in the society and government towards an inclusive mind-set, and the needs of children with disabilities. The system will also need to be significantly ramped up to handle the different challenges. Continue reading
Children debated on several aspects of cleanliness, sanitation and hygiene – what makes a locality/ city ‘unclean’, who is responsible to keep their environs clean, what are the systems that need to be in place in their school, neighbourhoods, cities and towns towards Swachh Bharat, and their personal experience in being ‘change agents for Swachh Bharat’. Continue reading
CASER 