The Hindu 25.07.2014
New education policy soon: SDMC
Children at an MCD school in Nizamuddin Basti.File Photo: Sandeep Saxena
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.