Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

`Poor infrastructure in fisheries schools'

Staff Reporter

Study says the schools do not have well-researched syllabus

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Lack of infrastructure facilities and a well-researched syllabus are adversely affecting the functioning of fisheries schools in the State, according to a study report.

The five-page report is based on a review conducted over two months in all these schools by Robert P., a city-based social worker, in association with Prohatsahan, a non-governmental organisation engaged in research in coastal areas of the country.

The report notes that of the 10 residential fisheries school in the State, the one in Kasaragod is yet to have a headmaster, while the 94 students at the Valiathura Fisheries High School in Thiruvananthapuram are offered shelter in a temporary godown, which also doubles up as the classroom. Most of the schools lack adequate computer or library facilities. Even the training given by the State Council for Educational Research and Training as per the new curriculum is not offered to the teachers of fisheries schools. And except in Thevara and Chavakkad, none of the boardings attached to these schools has wardens.

The existing syllabus made available to the students is ill-equipped to teach them about the State's unique coastal environment and the latest scientific technology.

The syllabus, described as "a course of SSLC in fisheries science, navigation and seamanship and motorisation in the regional fisheries technical high school," gives more emphasis on technical rather than scientific study, the report says. It also notes that for the last 38 years, students have been learning fisheries science without any textbooks.

The report alleges that when the traditional fish workers of the State have been waging a relentless battle against trawling boats, their children are being taught about the significance of these boats.

The schools also continue the outdated practice of teaching students to make fishing nets manually. The report points out that though the course syllabus calls for a visit by the students to boat yards, freezing plants, ice plants and fish-meal plants as part of their study, the 24 students who passed SSLC from the Valiathura Fisheries School last year were not taken for any field visit.

As per the Facts and Figures in Fisheries, a journal brought out by the Government in 2000, only two fisheries schools have wardens. Of the 10 schools, established in 1968, eight are for boys and two for girls.

Except the school in Karunagappally, the other schools have a total strength of 684 students.

According to Mr. Robert, his effort to find out the objective of establishing fisheries school in the State through the Right to Information Act proved futile.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

`Poor infrastructure in fisheries schools'
Cabinet to discuss woes of Kannanthura residents
Chithira Tirunal remembered
One dies after falling into well
Raindrops of creativity
Remembering a ruler
Around the City
In Thiruvananthapuram Today
Reader's Mail
Campus Notes

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu