The Hindu 25.07.2014
New education policy soon: SDMC
The teaching process in South Delhi municipal schools is headed for an overhaul, with the civic body finalising a holistic policy for its education sector.
Ashish Sood, the chairperson of the South Delhi Municipal Corporation’s Education Committee, said on Thursday that he would be tabling a “vision document” in the committee in the next 10 days. The statutory policy will include making teaching a two-way activity, utilising existing infrastructure optimally and inviting NGOs and corporate houses to help achieve specific targets.
“The thrust of the vision document is creating a safe, secure and joyous learning environment for every child,” said Mr. Sood.
According to the policy, municipal resources in education will be used to their optimum level. Since schools are unused after 2 p.m., Mr. Sood said the buildings can be used to impart skills to children who have dropped out of the formal education system. The civic body is in talks with the National Skill Development Corporation to come up with a programme targeting drop-outs. Additional classes for weak students, leadership skills for teachers and infrastructure development are on Mr. Sood’s agenda. “Our schools are our assets, made with tax-payers’ money, so we should make sure we are using them optimally,” he said.
Right now, there are about a dozen NGOs working with SDMC schools in different fields. The new policy proposes scaling up these initiatives, in all four zones of South Delhi. Instead of small programmes working with groups of 30-40 students, Mr. Sood said NGOs and corporates should come up with proposals to address all 3.10 lakh students.
“We are open to all new initiatives, but we will want the organisations to tailor their services according to our priorities. For instance, we need teachers’ training and curriculum and content planning. What the children need will be the focus,” said Mr. Sood.
