The Open Classroom

The Indian Express     11th January 2021     Save    

Context:  Pandemic provides an opportunity to reimagine schools.

Problems associated with the Indian school system.

  • Most schools are caged jails: where an alien curriculum designed by “experts” is thrust down a child’s gullet.
  • Presence of gargantuan corporate enterprises: There are thousands of children on their rolls, and they are run like factories or like mini-armies.
  • Structural issues with public schools: like wall caves, roof collapses, and poor quality of mid-day meal.
  • Deep socio-economic segregation: Which school a child goes to depends on her socio-economic status; The COVID-19 pandemic has furthered and exacerbated this divide (digital divide).
    • The 1966 Kothari Education Commission’s recommendation for a common school system was never implemented.
  • Government’s intention to privatize schools: While the best schools in the most advanced countries like America, England, Japan and Finland are government schools.

Way Forward: To improve the school system in India.

  • Create “free schools”: as envisioned by progressive thinkers like -
    • Leo Tolstoy, founded a school, Yasnaya Polyana, without any strict schedule, homework or physical punishment.
    • Maria Montessori: emphasized children’s freedom and choice.
    • Rabindranath Tagore: criticized rote learning in the classic tale The Parrot’s Training (Totaakahini).
  • Conceive neighbourhood learning spaces: where adults can share their skills and experiences with young ones.
    • E.g. In the 1960s, England had many community colleges where anyone who had any skill could offer a course and anyone who wanted to learn a skill or subject could join in.
  • Improve government schools: by
    • Improving the infrastructure E.g. by creating clean toilets, drinking water, a library, a tinkering lab, and a playground.
    • Make learning fun: by creating classes with children of different age group.
    • Bringing the innovators within government system: will help to motivate many teachers.
    • Collaborate with Non-Governmental Organizations(NGOs): To bring in best practices.
  • Make schools more inclusive: By enabling children with different backgrounds (class, caste, religions, and abilities) study together and learn to care and empathize.
  • Create schools customized for each student: like David Horsburgh’s Neel Bagh School in Kolar, Karnataka, where children could learn at their own pace.