Teaching learning process in Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan schools to undergo sees change

Chennai: The Rs.730-crore Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) project in Tamil Nadu is finally on track with renewed commitment to make leaning enjoyable for children being matched by a determination to ensure quality.

A significant change to be effect is in the teaching-learning process in SSA schools throughout the State, project director M.P. Vijayakumar who recently took charge said. “Through we have a mandate to make learning fun for children, at the field level, the emphasis is still on notes of lessons.” The programme was lacking when it came to delivering quality.

His observation was borne out by achievement tests held recently to assess the performance of children in SSA schools. While in languages, they scored an average of 60 percent; it was a mere 35 per cent in mathematics. “Quality is the real issue here. While over the years, the hardware [infrastructure, teachers] has been set in place, the class room process and atmosphere is obviously not conductive for learning,” he said.

The SSA is a programme that seeks to provide education for all up to the age of 14. It includes projects that specifically target enumeration, universal enrolment, universal enrolment to eliminate dropout. It is aimed at reaching out to sections such a tribal, child laborers and the disabled.

On the card, therefore, is a major transformation in the classroom. Teaching-learning process will now be “100 per cent child-centric and activity-based.”

This allows the child to learn at his / her own pace and the emphasis on examination is removed.

Touch-and-feel activities improve motor skills in young children besides contributing to joyful learning.

It has also been noted that this process invests children with self-confidence and classroom interactions enable to shed inhibitions.

Mr.Vijayakumar will bring with him the experience of launching the activity-based learning programme successfully implemented in Chennai Corporation schools.

Teaching learning process in Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan schools to undergo sees change