The Hindu 28.10.2013
Smart Brain Classroom project in Corpn. schools
Special classes for weak students are almost crammed
with lessons. If the students happen to be from class X, who will be
facing the public examinations, they will probably not have the time to
even breathe with teachers not tolerating any distraction. However,
breaking away from this punitive approach, the Coimbatore Corporation
has adopted a novel approach where motivating students is the top
priority.
Taken up as a pilot project covering 48
students of class X drawn from six Corporation schools, the ‘Smart Brain
Classroom’ project, implemented by American India Foundation (AIF),
takes a new approach. Under this, the first 30 minutes of each special
class is set aside for innovative exercises that develop the
self-confidence of students. Only after this session does the
coordinator take up academics.
This approach, K.
Gangadevi of the Corporation Girls High School, Puliyakulam, says, has
helped students develop a positive approach to studies. With the special
classes being completely different from regular ones, the students look
forward to attending them.
Her classmate R. Helen
Fathima says the subjects are shown visually with the help of a
projector, which makes the lessons easier to understand. P. Pavitra, AIF
training coordinator, says exercises such as smiling contests are held.
Students also discuss their favourite activities with an aim to improve
their self-esteem. This has had a profound positive impact on their
academic performance. V. Alexander, AIF Regional Coordinator (TN),
Digital Equalizer, says individual interviews were held with all 48
students to ascertain their mindset and identify the problems affecting
their studies. They were chosen based on their performance in the
quarterly examinations held in September. The special classes are held
twice a week and will run for 12 weeks with assessment tests held on a
weekly basis. Around 2,300 students are taking the class X board
examinations in the 27 Corporation schools in the present academic year.
The six schools chosen for the project are Corporation Girls High
School, Puliakulam, Corporation Higher Secondary School, Selvapuram,
Corporation SRP Ammaniammal Higher Secondary School, R.S. Puram,
Corporation High School, K.K. Pudur, Corporation High School,
Maniyakaranpalayam and Corporation High School, Kovilmedu.
The
Corporation had inked a three-year MoU (2012-15) with the AIF to
implement a ‘Digital Equaliser’ Programme in all the 10 high schools, 16
higher secondary schools, and one special school of the civic body.
Under this project, the first 30 minutes of each special class is set aside for innovative exercises.