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Schools stifling creativity: CBSE chief

Staff Reporter

Ashok Ganguly

KOCHI: Most schools stifle the innate creativity of children by putting them through a repetitive and boring schedule, Ashok Ganguly, Chairman of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), said here on Thursday.

Speaking at an induction course for principals of newly affiliated schools, held at Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Vaduthala, he attributed the reason for children failing in examinations to a faulty educational system. Not all children had left-brain skills. Trained well, those with right-brain skills could excel in their field of activity. A continuous evaluation process was required for the purpose. Compulsion must be replaced by the choice of study, he said.

“Children continue to consider classrooms as prison cells. Co-curricular activities have to be given equal importance as the academic curriculum. There has to be greater emphasis on art, music, dance and craft. Instead of resisting change, teachers must have a change of mindset and ensure that students get quality education.”

Later, making a presentation on “Key issues in school education,” he said that a principal must become the chief learning officer of the school. One had to be a good learner through life, to lead the school. The focus should not just be on obtaining marks in examinations. Emotional, physical, mental and spiritual well-being of the child too had to be given importance.

Banning homework in lower classes was a huge challenge, Mr. Ganguly said, adding that alternatives had to be found for homework. He stressed the need for “learning by doing,” and said the CBSE had brought out many books to help students and teachers in the learning process. “Crunch of resources and infrastructure will not deter teachers who are committed.”

Inaugurating the function, Vice-Chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University Jancy James said that most people opted for teaching as the last resort. Teachers had the pertinent role of creating and redefining resources in an individual. “Sadly, instead of bringing out the best in children, our educational system stifles talent. An example is the lack of communication skills that many students have.”

R.P. Sarma and P. Mani, educational officers of the CBSE; Kamakshi Balakrishnan, director, Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Vaduthala; and Maya Mohan and Poulose K.V., president and secretary, respectively, of the Sahodaya Schools Complex, were present.

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