The Times of India 29.09.2010
40 more Corpn schools to offer English medium
CHENNAI: In order to tackle the student dropout rate in Chennai Corporation schools, the local body is going to introduce English medium teaching in its primary and middle schools. The parents from monetarily backward classes are happy with the move.
There are over 260 primary and middle schools under the Chennai Corporation. But over the years, the student strength in these institutions has remained very low. Many primary class students from these schools have also started migrating to private schools to benefit from English medium of instruction. Thus, the Corporation plans to convert some of its schools to English medium.
The Corporation had already introduced English medium in 28 schools. Now it will extended this facility to 23 primary and 17 middle schools. The lessons will be through Activity Based Learning (ABL). The printing orders for the ABL cards have also been placed.
"People from all classes want their children to study in English medium schools. Hence we thought of introducing the same in our institutions. The English medium will be introduced from 1st standard," said Mayor M Subramanian.
Chennai Corporation commissioner, Rajesh Lakhoni said that English medium teaching was a demand among parents. "We will be starting the courses from Vijayadasami that falls during the month of October," he said.
Meanwhile, Corporation officials state that orders have been placed for the purchase of learning cards. Faculty members who are teaching in class I will also be given in-house training to handle the English sections. "The demand is more for admission in middle, high and higher secondary classes in our schools. But not primary sections. We expect this to change soon," said a Corporation official.
"Though the government is insisting on promoting Tamil-medium schools, the demand for English-medium schools is greater. We have to offer what the people demand. With the proposed plan, 68 schools in Chennai will be offering English medium," said K Ravichandran, assistant education officer, High and Higher Secondary Schools, Chennai Corporation.
"It will help reduce dropouts and boost enrolment. We are planning to supply ABL cards at Rs 2000 per set to the schools. Initially, we will give out two sets per class. When this is extended to four subjects, that's eight sets per class," he added.
S Deivasabai a fisherman in Srinivasapuram, whose son studies in 3rd standard said that he was very happy that his son would be able to get trained in English. "Now communicating in English is needed to get a job. My son used to watch English speaking students of nearby convent schools with awe. After a few years even he will be able to converse fluently," he said.
There are over 260 primary and middle schools under the Chennai Corporation. But over the years, the student strength in these institutions has remained very low. Many primary class students from these schools have also started migrating to private schools to benefit from English medium of instruction. Thus, the Corporation plans to convert some of its schools to English medium.
The Corporation had already introduced English medium in 28 schools. Now it will extended this facility to 23 primary and 17 middle schools. The lessons will be through Activity Based Learning (ABL). The printing orders for the ABL cards have also been placed.
"People from all classes want their children to study in English medium schools. Hence we thought of introducing the same in our institutions. The English medium will be introduced from 1st standard," said Mayor M Subramanian.
Chennai Corporation commissioner, Rajesh Lakhoni said that English medium teaching was a demand among parents. "We will be starting the courses from Vijayadasami that falls during the month of October," he said.
Meanwhile, Corporation officials state that orders have been placed for the purchase of learning cards. Faculty members who are teaching in class I will also be given in-house training to handle the English sections. "The demand is more for admission in middle, high and higher secondary classes in our schools. But not primary sections. We expect this to change soon," said a Corporation official.
"Though the government is insisting on promoting Tamil-medium schools, the demand for English-medium schools is greater. We have to offer what the people demand. With the proposed plan, 68 schools in Chennai will be offering English medium," said K Ravichandran, assistant education officer, High and Higher Secondary Schools, Chennai Corporation.
"It will help reduce dropouts and boost enrolment. We are planning to supply ABL cards at Rs 2000 per set to the schools. Initially, we will give out two sets per class. When this is extended to four subjects, that's eight sets per class," he added.
S Deivasabai a fisherman in Srinivasapuram, whose son studies in 3rd standard said that he was very happy that his son would be able to get trained in English. "Now communicating in English is needed to get a job. My son used to watch English speaking students of nearby convent schools with awe. After a few years even he will be able to converse fluently," he said.
