Latest news with #StatePlatformforCommonSchoolSystem
Time of India
4 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Can ‘Thiran' raise learning outcome? Jury's out
Madurai: The state govt's newly launched remedial coaching for students of Class VI-IX in govt schools offers a boost for late bloomers to catch up with their peers, but teachers and educationists said filling learning gaps remains an uphill task. Addressing core reasons for poor learning outcomes is the need of the hour, they said. In July, a baseline test was conducted for students of Class VIII-IX, and those who did not score at least 17/20 were selected for the 'Thiran' (Targeted Help for Improving Remediation and Academic Nurturing) scheme. "Students who are struggling with basic reading comprehension in English and Tamil and calculations in Maths will work on strengthening these skills. We want the late bloomers to be able to learn at least the basics without any judgment or shame," said J Malai Mathi, education programme coordinator. Some schools hold remedial classes for all students to avoid a feeling of 'separation'. It may be recalled that this year's State Level Achievement Survey (SLAS) flagged a drop in performance for Class III, V, and VIII students, especially in English and Maths for Class VIII students, despite younger students performing well. "Since all students are passed automatically till Class VIII now, those with poor learning outcomes are often found struggling with basic English and Maths skills by the time they appear for Class X board exams," said a high school teacher. Taking the Thiran initiative a step further, Madurai corporation officials have adopted 10 of their schools with low performance, including four middle schools, two high schools, and four higher secondary schools. "In the aftermath of Covid-19 pandemic, the most affected kids are Class VI-IX students. We are trying to further grade their learning levels and give support to those who really need it, and a push to others," said Chitra Vijayan, corporation commissioner, who adopted the corporation middle school in Karumbalai. However, teachers said early remedial coaching is beneficial only for students who really struggle to read or write proper sentences or words in English or Tamil. "However, selecting students based on one baseline test may not have been fair to some, as even average students can mess up in one test but do well in another one. Lack of separate teachers for Thiran may affect its level of success," said a teacher at a middle school. Corporation officials said they are looking into the possibility of roping in volunteers. P B Prince Gajendra Babu, general secretary, State Platform for Common School System - Tamil Nadu, said Thiran initiative failed to find out the reasons why students of Class VI-IX failed to learn these basic skills at the primary school level. "This initiative puts the blame on the child. A child is being labelled as a late bloomer and given remedial coaching. What will the child learn in six months that he/she did not in the past few years," he asked. According to him, the state govt should first address the root causes of poor learning outcomes, like school dropouts and lack of sufficient qualified teachers. "This is an inefficiency of the school education department," he added. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Educationists' forum urges CM to examine concerns on SEP
Chennai: The State Platform for Common School System (SPCSS) on Saturday urged the chief minister M K Stalin to examine concerns expressed on State Education Policy (SEP) for school education and hold direct consultations with all members of the high-level committee, organisations, and individuals who presented their suggestions for strengthening it. "Student organisations, educational bodies, and educationists have come out with various suggestions to improve and strengthen the policy. The hallmark of democracy is to hear and respond to criticism," said P B Prince Gajendrababu, general secretary of the SPCSS-TN, in his representation to the chief minister Stalin. "If the policy is implemented without addressing any of the issues raised by various forums, it will have a disastrous effect on the govt-funded school education system that was built on the principles of social justice," he further said. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai | Gold Rates Today in Chennai | Silver Rates Today in Chennai The representation also mentioned the non-availability of the high-level committee report in the public domain and the announcement of the policy without placing the draft for discussion, which has denied the democratic space for people. "A policy on school education should provide a roadmap for equitable access to education for all and a smooth transition from school education to higher education," SPCSS stated. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Regarding the concerns, it mentioned the concept of model schools, VETRI schools, and the involvement of volunteers in curricular activities as being against the concept of Samacheer Kalvi (uniformed access to education) and principles of social justice. "A policy cannot sustain inequalities, and it is against the provisions of the Constitution," the representation said. It also called for designing the SEP for higher education more carefully and for strengthening and expanding govt higher education institutions. "The policy on higher education should be clear in ensuring full funding for all govt, govt-aided colleges, and state universities. The full grant should be provided by the govt. The university and affiliation system should continue. Each university has its uniqueness," it further said. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Hans India
04-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
TN launches daily practice sessions for Class 10, Class 12 students in low performing schools
To improve pass percentages in Class 10 and 12 public examinations, the Tamil Nadu School Education Department has rolled out a new initiative to provide daily practice questions to students in government schools across Chennai. As part of the plan, students will be given one-mark and two-mark questions every day to help reinforce subject knowledge and develop exam readiness. Senior education department officials said a panel of top educators will prepare the questions, which will be distributed to schools for daily sessions. 'Headmasters and assistant headmasters have been tasked with ensuring that students engage with these practice questions regularly. The goal is to develop consistent study habits and improve familiarity with the syllabus,' said a senior official from the department. To complement this effort, monthly assessments will be conducted to identify 'slow learners'. Those students will then receive focused remedial training to help close learning gaps. In addition, the department will pay special attention to schools that recorded lower pass percentages in the most recent board exams. 'A block-wise analysis will be carried out to identify underperforming schools,' said Pugalendhi, a senior official involved in the initiative. 'Headmasters and assistant headmasters of such schools will receive counselling and guidance on how to improve student outcomes. These measures will be implemented with urgency over the next two to four months,' he said. The intervention follows disappointing performances by Chennai's government schools in this year's board results. The city ranked 37th in the SSLC (Class 10) examinations with a pass percentage of 82.84, and 35th in the Higher Secondary (Class XII) results with 87.86. However, the initiative has drawn criticism from educationists who warn against a purely marks-driven strategy. Prince Gajendra Babu, general secretary of the State Platform for Common School System, said the approach mimics the private school model without addressing deeper educational needs. 'Prioritising marks over meaningful learning sends the wrong message,' he said. 'Students should be encouraged to understand the purpose of education. Once that is achieved, improved results will naturally follow. The focus should first be on strengthening infrastructure and ensuring government schools offer facilities on par with private institutions,' he said. Despite the criticism, the government plans to aggressively pursue the strategy in the coming months to bridge academic gaps and raise overall learning standards in state-run schools.
Time of India
03-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Daily mock tests to prepare Class X, XII GCC students
Chennai: To increase the pass percentage of Class X and XII students in govt schools across the city, officials have decided to offer them one-mark and two-mark questions for practice every day. "An executive meeting, involving top authorities will prepare questions and circulate it to schools. Headmasters and assistant headmasters have been tasked with ensuring students go through these questions on a daily basis. The move is intended to get students accustomed to the syllabus and learning on a daily basis," chief education officer A Pugalendhi told TOI. Assessment exams will be conducted monthly for students to identify "slow learners," who will then be offered special training. Steps have also been taken to focus on schools that recorded a lower pass percentage in this year Class X and XII results. "A block-level analysis will be done, and schools will be identified. Headmasters and assistant headmasters of such schools will be provided counselling and tips on dealing with students, ensuring that they pass," Pugalendhi said, adding that these steps would be vigorously pursued in the next two to four months to ensure strict adherence. State Platform for Common School System general secretary and educationist Prince Gajendra Babu, however, contends that a mark-based approach towards education will set a bad precedent. "This approach is akin to the one followed by private schools. The right approach will be to make students realize the importance of education. That, in turn, will automatically reflect in the pass percentage. Besides, govt schools must first offer facilities to students on a par with private schools. That must be the primary focus, instead of striving for a 100% pass rate," he said. In this year's SSLC (Class X) and Higher Secondary (Class XII) results, in terms of district-wise performance of govt schools, Chennai ranked 37 with a pass percentage of 82.84 and 35 with a pass percentage of 87.86, respectively.
