Tribal Deptt to introduce ‘How To Learn’ concept in its schools
   Date :19-Jan-2022

schools
 
 
Principal Correspondent :
 
About three years ago, the then Principal Secretary of School Education Nandkumar came up with an idea to make education purposeful-- which means to teach students how to learn instead of what to learn. The group of Zilla Parishad teachers all over Maharashtra responded to the call and started the activity. Ravindra Thakare, Additional Tribal Commissioner at Nagpur too has decided to take a leaf out of the book. He had organised one workshop for the teachers of Ashramshalas under the aegis of Tribal Department to let them know the concept. Nandkumar, though now is not with school education department, takes stock of the project out of interest.
 
“I was always interested in introducing new ideas in school education. I always feel, students have innovative ideas. We suppress their ideas by forcing the traditional ways upon them. Actually some teachers approached me when I was transferred from School education department. We formed the group of teachers, they were brought together through social media and then the activity started. I strongly feel that every child deserves world’s best education,” elaborated Nandkumar. The group doing this activity is named as ‘Bhavishyavedhi’. If one wants to know what development this activity has brought one should visit some ZP schools in Nagpur district where a group of students is learning Japanese language. When contacted Yogesh Kumbhejkar, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Nagpur Zilla Parishad told ‘The Hitavada’ , “Yes. It is true. But we don’t have provided them any facility. In ‘How to Learn’ students are taught how to learn. In the same way, students were encouraged to learn something new. They went ahead and took the classes of Japanese language.
 
The results are yet to come but yes activities would surely bring some change.” Impressed by all these activities, Ravindra Thakare too has decided to introduce the project in the schools coming under tribal department. Explaining the concept, Thakare said, “If one remembers in old days the learning of cycle riding. Our facilitator was our friend. We taught the cycle riding to each other. There was no expert teacher. The concept that was floated by Nandkumar is the same. Teachers are being trained how to teach students ‘How to Learn?’ I want to introduce that concept in schools run by Tribal Department.” School of Scholars at Wanadongri is working on the same concept and Thakare has planned one workshop at that school where teachers of Ashramshalas will take the classes. “Foundational skills will generate interest among children to attend the classes leading to reduce the dropouts per centage and improve transition rate from primary to upper primary and secondary stages.
 
Activity based learning encourage children to think and act by applying their own ideas. It will improve quality of education. Creative teaching such as toy-based and experimental learning will be used in classroom transaction thereby making learning a joyful and engaging activity.” A workshop by ‘Bhavishyavedhi’ was recently conducted at Vanamati. The group taught the teachers about focusing on different domains of development like physical and motor development, socio-emotional development, literacy development, cognitive development, life skills etc. Thakare deliberately chose the places like Aheri, Bhamragarh where the teachers who have developed model of teaching at Yavatmal and Wani would come and impart the teaching system as mentors. “If this concept spreads its wings then it would surely bring revolution in the teaching and learning system. Finally what is intelligence? Intelligence means no spoon feeding. Give a little support to child and push him and he starts riding cycle without he himself getting realised,” said Thakare.