Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Telling cartoon

The cartoon (June 15) should sound a warning bell to parents, educationists, policymakers, and students themselves. The need of the hour is to make drastic changes in our education system, from kindergarten to the level of research. As a first step, there should be a ban on putting a three-year-old in school. A child can adapt to the school environment — physically and mentally — only when he or she is five years old.

Primary education should be made children-friendly and enjoyable, and should employ playway methods of teaching. Secondary education should focus more on conceptual learning. Teachers and parents seem to be bent on squeezing children to the last bit of energy they have.

A reduced syllabus, nationwide uniformity in syllabus, uniform work schedule for all schools, drastic cut in the book load, compulsory homework-free holidays, longer term holidays, and more time for play both at home and school will make students enjoy their studies.

R. Karpagam,
Coimbatore

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