The writing is clear on the wall
SANGEETH KURIAN
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The students know the meaning of self expression.
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Photo: S. Mahinsha
Write on target: For their thoughts and more.
Children at the Government Lower Primary School, Thycaud are a happy lot thanks to the introduction of white boards in the school by the city corporation. Children are interested in studies more than ever, according to teachers. One of the main advantages of the board, according to the teachers is ‘freedom from dust’.
“Earlier dust allergy from chalk powder was a common problem faced by both students and teachers," said J. Stanley, headmaster.
“Today they breathe easy,” he said. Introduced by the corporation as a part of ‘Goodbye black board’ project,’ white boards have been introduced in lower primary schools at Thycaud, Vattiyoorkkavu and Anayara. “Since white boards installed in classrooms are nearly twice the size of a conventional blackboard, children can take down the notes at their convenient pace without any concern of it being erased by the teacher before completing the notes,” said Mr. Stanley. The convenient positioning of the board on the wall also makes it accessible to the students, who eagerly await every opportunity to write on it with a marker pen.
Fun work
“It is entirely a different experience for them,” he said. The school has six white boards for over 100 students from nursery to class IV." Yet another advantage is that unlike a blackboard, whiteboards does not require frequent erasing. Said G.R. Anil, chairman, Corporation health and standing committee.
“The move is aimed at ensuring the latest educational facilities for children studying in government schools on par with their private school counterparts."
According to him (whiteboards) also provides a much-needed image-make-over for the government schools, which were often looked upon as noon-meal centres by the public,” he said.
However whiteboards are not entirely hassle free. Teachers point out that the markers used to write on the boards hardly last for a week. With the markers priced at Rs 25 a piece, using a new one every week can turn out to be an expensive affair. “Refilling the pens is not always an effective option,” added Mr. Stanley. The city corporation has also decided to adopt and provide necessary assistance to 100 meritorious students hailing from financially backward families who have displayed excellence in academics, culture and sports events from this academic year onwards.
The Rs 15-lakh project will benefit students from primary and high school section. The project is one among a number of school specific development programmes launched by the corporation. Some of the other projects introduced in schools include ’multi-media class rooms’ and ‘scientific labs.’
The facilities currently introduced only in select institutions will eventually cover all the 95 schools coming under the corporation, according to corporation officials.
“The corporation has already equipped the schools with the necessary basic infrastructure such as drainage, toilet and drinking water facilities,” Mr. Anil added.
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