Need for a re-think
It’s time we thought about the way today’s schooling, particularly early years of a child’s schooling, takes place. Given a chance, many of our children would not like to go to school. Not because they dislike learning, but because they are treated like machines and adults who need to mechanically do things take the joy out of being a child and learning. Vasanthi Vasudev’s “To school without fear” (July 6) has brought out well the state of children suffering in the name of schooling. When learning takes place without burden, it is a joy. Schools should be places of welcome for children, not a place of terror.
Rama Meganathan
Department of Languages
National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT)
New Delhi
The article is an eye-opener for many parents and teachers who resort to corporal punishment. The writer has clearly explained how corporal punishment affects the child psychologically and brings down the performance of the child. Most of the children refuse even to attempt or undertake a task for fear of failure, punishment and shame. It is the responsibility of the teachers and parents to approach them positively and bring out the hidden talents in them.
Sujatha Elangovan
Kuwait
The article made many pause and rethink the way we have been schooling our children. Perhaps no one would approve of corporal punishment. It’s inhumane and emotionally destructive. Instead of forcing our pointless expectations on young and impressionable minds we should try to understand and support them.
Ankur Paliwal,
A.M.U. Aligarh
The article should serve as an eye-opener to that segment of the teaching fraternity who resort to corporal punishment for disciplining their students. As rightly pointed out, the pressure from the school management for cent per cent results forces some hard hearted teachers to direct their anger towards “non- performing” students. The hapless student community are left in the lurch as they find it increasingly difficult to share their problems with their parents for whom results matter more than anything else. Parents and teachers alike should accept children as they are and recognise their innate talents. A good teacher should be a good guide and a person whom students can rely upon in times of despair.
V. Varun,
Madurai
Without doubt, the use of corporal punishment on young children is a sinful act. Yet, I feel that it should not be completely eradicated from our educational system. We must restrict or reserve corporal punishment for the most extreme cases where mere words of guidance become insufficient. If we use corporal punishment in appropriate situations, just to tell the students that what they have done is really bad, then in my view corporal punishment can become an effective punishment.
Vivek Agarwal,
Lucknow
Delicious
Dining fiascos (July 6) by Vasundhara Chauhan was a delicious piece on how we get carried away by fancy sounding continental delicacies dished out by our own desi chefs. Some times we come across menus with items like ‘Fresh-lime juice’ with cold ice! With a fancy price.
N. Nagarajan
Secunderabad
Nuanced stance
We commend the column “Deleting girls” by Kalpana Sharma (May 18) for a balanced and nuanced reporting of a complex and compelling issue.
Indeed the campaign against sex determination must focus on the act of sex selection and not on abortion. Abortion, as a part of sexual and reproductive health services, plays a crucial role in enabling women to gain control over their bodies and their lives. Given that women are not always able to determine when, how and with whom they have sex with, or use contraception as per their choice, they must have access to safe abortion without any restrictions. Abortion has been legal for more than three decades, yet unsafe abortion is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality, because services are not within reach of those most marginalised and in need.
Sex selection is the result of deep-seated gender discriminatory mind-sets and unethical practices furthered by an unregulated health sector. Doctors are directly responsible for sex determination and make profits from it. All efforts to reduce sex selection must continue to address issues of gender discrimination, but not further constrain women’s access to safe abortion services.
The National Campaign for Safe Abortion: Working for Women’s Health and Self-Determination,
( contactncsa@gmail.com)
Leisurely affair
The article “Ticket to ride” (July 6) made interesting reading. Train travel is not only a leisurely affair, but also gives one a chance to read and to interact with different people on different subjects. It is an excellent place to develop friendships by way of sharing your food, your views and at times, your berth.
Thanks to the millions of dedicated railway staff, right from the gang man who patrols the track with a lantern in his hand up to the officers who constantly monitor the movement of the train to their destinations, train journeys are not only safe but also pleasant and memorable ones!
K. Ramani,
Cuddalore
Printer friendly
page
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
Magazine
