Other States - Orissa   

Developing that `thirst' in them

Vidya K.S.

G.K. needs to be remodelled as an extension of `study' subjects such as maths, english or science

PHOTO: K.R.Deepak

IGNITED MINDS: GK can make studying an interesting and more importantly an interactive process where teachers can incorporate games, puzzles and other activities.

Often neglected as an `extra-curricular' subject, General Knowledge (G.K.) needs to be mainstreamed as an important subject for children today. Apart from monotonous rote learning that has become the doom of most subjects today in school, teachers need to expose children to an array of issues and topics from a young age. G.K. is especially important today for the all-round development of children where they have to constantly face the pressure of exams, assignments and interviews.

Apart from boring textbooks that are a terror for most children, teachers need to include a variety of books and children's magazines into the reading curriculum. These books need not be a part of the syllabus but must be related to current topics in science, social studies, English and other subjects that will be interesting for the child to know. Studying can be an interesting and more importantly an interactive process where teachers can incorporate games, puzzles and other activities so that students actually enjoy the learning process.

G.K. needs to be remodelled as an extension subject of `study' subjects such as Maths, English, Science and Social Studies. How many children actually know the relevance of latitudes and longitudes or the science of global warming and how it can affect us in the future? Environmental issues that have become a compulsory part of the syllabus are just drilled into children as another routine subject. In the period allotted for G.K., teachers can assist students in their school projects and assignments and help them understand the significance of doing the particular project. Often empty and isolated, teachers need to take students to the library and help them in choosing reference and reading books that will bring a new edge to their boring subjects.

History can be made interesting with a school treasure hunt where clues are hidden in important dates and events.

Newspaper reading

To make G.K. an important part of the course syllabus much needs to be done by the school authorities. Newspaper reading that has been included in the curriculum of many schools needs to be pursued in a more holistic manner. National and international issues must not be mugged as facts and figures, but must be understood as instances that have a larger bearing on the world.

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