The Hindu        07.12.2011

Expert teachers to be grouped under Corporation initiative

Impetus: Focus on key concepts, practice exercises based on the blueprints of question papers will equip students better, say teachers. — FILE PHOTO.

In an attempt to bring good teachers in contact with students who might need them the most, the Chennai Corporation has come up with an innovative programme that seeks to give additional training to select groups of students about to take their class XII Board examination in March.

To start with, experienced teachers handling commerce, accountancy, chemistry and mathematics have been grouped. They work together, preparing modules on key concepts, and discussing blueprints of question papers in detail.

According to T.N. Venkatesh, Joint Commissioner (Education) of Chennai Corporation, the initiative seeks to pay special attention to students, helping them understand concepts better.

“Some teachers are very experienced and experts in teaching concepts. Typically, a group has five to six teachers. Students who need additional help in these subjects assemble in a particular school and attend these sessions,” he said.

This is particularly helpful in the case of certain schools that may not have a subject teacher posted after the school was upgraded, or may be awaiting a teacher as the previous teacher got transferred. The sessions are conducted at select schools such as ones in Saidapet, Choolai and Maduvankarai. Students from other schools are intimated about it, and the sessions are attended by students in large numbers, according to officials.

Mr. Venkatesh says teachers have been very receptive to the idea. “This is also a way to recognise very good talent among our teachers and give them space to innovate in teaching methodology.” Not just teachers, AEOs who are subject experts and the Joint Commissioner himself have been actively involved in evolving new modules. “It is a team effort and it is in the interest of students,” he said.

Additional support

Many students going to Chennai Schools certainly need this additional support, according to teachers. N. Kalaiselvam, chemistry teacher at the Chennai School in Rotler Street, Choolai, says students get little support from parents.

“They cannot afford tuition classes, either. With some help, they might be able to perform better and that will make a huge difference to their higher education,” she said.

Pointing to their adverse home environments, she said: “Many children did not even have a safe place to keep their records during the recent rains. The pages were all wet when they brought it for submission.”

Given that the examinations will begin in a few months, it may not be possible to cover the entire textbook. “We choose important chapters, key concepts and likely questions and concentrate on just that. That way each student can appear for the examination with more confidence,” said Ms. Kalaiselvam.