Kerala   

Quality change

It is great to know that a system of performance and skill-knowledge level revision for school teachers is going to be in place. I am sure this step is not going to make many teachers happy. Having studied in an aided school in a rural area of Kollam district I can understand the difference this recommendation can make.

The managements of some schools are only interested in extracting lakhs of rupees from a person aspiring to become a teacher and they never conduct any skill-level test for such aspirants. Over the years, this practice has damaged the quality of education availed by children from rural areas and those from poor and lower middle class families.

K.V. Prasannakumar

Kochi

There is no denying the fact that good school teachers play a very critical role in moulding the character of students and by extension that of the society as a whole.

There is need for a greater degree of application and commitment on the part of teachers and hence evaluating their knowledge base and other skills should act as an incentive for better achievements in their fields. Added to this those undergoing regular training programmes to hone their skills and those securing relevant higher in-service qualifications should be recognized and suitably rewarded.

If the committee being set up is free from extraneous interferences and has sufficient powers this would indeed bring about changes in the present system with far reaching consequences.

R. Unnikrishnan

By email

The teaching profession is very important as they are the people who directly get involved in moulding the citizens of tomorrow. Hence, this profession needs timely and strict evaluation unlike other professions.

Capt. O.B. Nair

Poonithura

My suggestion is to ban political activities by teachers on the campus and those who want take part in political activities may resign and do so. The political activism of teachers should in no way be at the expense of students.

S.N. Thiruvazhiode

Poonithura

As far as teacher evaluation is concerned, first of all we need to develop a comprehensive standard for evaluation. Second is the quality of evaluators, whether they are truly professional and objective.

Third aspect is the measures and remedies with regard to the results of evaluation. The approach against low standards must be constructive, then only we will be able to get the cooperation of the teacher community in this process.

Good performers should be given more incentives.

Sunil D. Kuruvilla

Mavelikara

Evaluation of teaching skills is important. It is the responsibility of a teacher to acquire new skills and adapt to new technology. But unfortunately we see a lot of teachers who are indifferent to this. The performance of a teacher should be assessed twice in a school year.

Sreenath S.K

Kulathoor-Prayar

In Kerala the education system should be reformed. A move by the state government appointed committee is welcome. So far there was no such system to check the quality of teaching. As any job, a continuous and constant monitoring is needed for the improvement. More than that, our education system should be more student-oriented.

Jancy Antony

Kanjany

The recommendation to evaluate the skill-knowledge and performance of teachers is welcome.

The evaluation process should be systematic with active participation and involvement of teachers, students, parents, managements and government. Necessary training should be given to all to create awareness. Learning is a continuous and never ending process. Periodic paper presentation before the seminar involving evaluators, students and PTA will boost the aim. The idea seems to be extremely good.

A.K. Rajan

Ayyanthole

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