Schools in the next millennium have a great challenge to make education relevant to the emerging information age and rising aspirations of the parents. In fact, even now there is a great demand from all sectors of the society for quality education which is considered an important instrument to upgrade their standard for living. However, concept of quality education differs from individual to individual. In order to achieve this goal, a nine-point agenda has been visualised. This is presented as follows :
Concept of Quality Education is the most important to be clarified and accepted by teachers and all other concerned including parents. It should not be mistaken for merely English-medium education. In short, it implies all-round development of full potential of the child in terms of body, mind & soul. This, in turn, will bring about full flowering of one's personality. Such individuals will be able to adapt themselves to the changing trends of the society as also to serve as change agents for happier living. Such an education will help in self-actualization of every one.
Value-Orientation of education assumes special significance, though it is inclusive in the definition of quality education, due to the present day phenomenon of hypocrisy, corruption, dishonesty, and many other indicators of ethical defilement and moral pollution. The major tasks before the schools are to realise significance of this program, identify values for different age groups of students, develop methodologies for value clarification and adoption as also for evaluation. Their efforts may be thwarted by the existing value crisis in home and the societies. But schools have this important responsibility in order to save the world from impending peril of degradation and even self annihilation. Schools may also help other sectors of the society to adopt such strategies as may make life more satisfying and useful rather than its being self-centered.
Modern advancement in technologies can contribute immensely towards quality education. Telecommunication, world-wide network of computers, use of internet and other electronic communications have made the world a global village. We are truly living in an "Information Age". Schools can now provide teaching and learning situations in a "Global Classroom". This would, however, require development of state or region-wise system of advanced information technology. Each school has to equip classrooms with multimedia facilities, computer laboratory and library and media-center to draw on all types of external resources. District education offices or District Institutes of Education and Training may also develop a network for communications and data bases for many types of information. Similarly modalities of state and national level technology will have to be worked out.
Application of Modern Management Techniques in school situations is another promising area to promote quality education. The teacher has to cease to be a mere provider of information. As a manager of teaching learning situation, he has to work as a facilitator in the growth of child. Being friend, guide and mentor, a teacher has to promote self- learning among children. As a manager in the classroom, the teacher has to plan, how to motivate child in self learning and to become creative and innovative. Development of peer relations and healthy triangular relations between parents, child and teacher and also be possible. Above all, use of modern management techniques will keep the teacher ready to grow and to be conscious about the developments which can be related with learning.
Every teacher as a Counsellor also will become very necessary in the new system when there will be emphasis on "Quality Education" and "Use of modern technologies". So, besides understanding teaching learning strategies, every teacher must be able to know the students well through tests & observations. In fact, she should be able to elaborate on issues so that a child is able to understand oneself well. This would require full knowledge of the techniques of guidance services as also developing appreciations for individuals differences. This would help in developing abilities for self-direction among students.
Parent Education will come up as an additional responsibility of teachers because in the process of quality education, positive collaboration between school and home will be definitely conducive. Teachers will have to make the concept of quality education clear to parents as also to warn them against the narrow goal of passing examinations only. Behavior problems of children may also be discussed at such meeting of parents. Misunderstanding of the parents may also be resolved regarding their notions of educations as they are being implemented in the respective schools. Schools may also acquaint the parents with techniques to manage the children and their problems at home.
Research and development will be the twin functions of the new school to achieve best possible development in every child. Every school is a big laboratory where young minds are being moulded. It can hardly afford best possible development in every child. Its role is dynamic and every teacher has to find out practical solutions to all problems. Teachers must, therefore, be trained in abilities in action-research will lead to quality education as also it will enhance their prestige as professionals. Similarly, development activities like preparation identifying problems, understanding their nature and solution thereof. Their of curricular materials & learning aids will enable very school to solve its own problems and acquire an independent stature as a unique institution.
Institutional Planning both at short-term basis will be another important dimension to achieve quality education. Every school should plan future programmes keeping in view its problems, goals and unique features in terms of physical, academic and financial aspects. It should also cover all aspects of student growth i.e. curricular, co-curricular evaluation, parental involvement & community participation. This plan of action should be reviewed periodically. A comprehensive document to be prepared for the future development would cover all other aspects discussed here. This would require whole-hearted participation of all staff members & thorough discussions to reach the final points of action.
Continuous & Comprehensive Professional Growth of Teachers will serve as the Master key to achieve quality education. This area has to cater to all the other aspects in developing needed competencies among teachers as also refreshing their knowledge & increasing faith in the tasks they have to perform. This requires carefully planned ‘School-based In-service education of Teachers’ SBINSET. This will make the programe self-dependent, self-motivated, self-sufficient & self-inspired. Above all, it will help solve the local problems & inspire teachers to generate innovative ideas to bring about quality education.
As the new millennium and the 21st century has ushered in, this milestone should be celebrated with determination to work for quality education in all schools. Students in the system will have unique opportunities for all-round development and to acquire technological proficiency to cope with the information age. Supported by school-focussed research and backed by modern management techniques, the school curriculum should promote holistic learning. Individual guidance will cater to varying interests & aptitudes ensuring innovative & creating thinking. Above all, students will be able to make value-based judgements, to take just actions & to be responsible for their own learning. This would, however, require & continuously learning teacher with commitment to his own professional development. Abounding quality in education with eternal values ingrained in one's conduct will make all individuals grow & glow. Our societies, in turn, will emerge to be learning, loving & living worthwhile lives.
The author is founding Director of Global Center of Quality Education
1 comment:
Schools for the new millennium
By Dr (Prof) Mulk Raj Chilana
Schools in the next millennium have a great challenge to make education relevant to the emerging information age and rising aspirations of the parents. In fact, even now there is a great demand from all sectors of the society for quality education which is considered an important instrument to upgrade their standard for living. However, concept of quality education differs from individual to individual. In order to achieve this goal, a nine-point agenda has been visualised. This is presented as follows :
Concept of Quality Education is the most important to be clarified and accepted by teachers and all other concerned including parents. It should not be mistaken for merely English-medium education. In short, it implies all-round development of full potential of the child in terms of body, mind & soul. This, in turn, will bring about full flowering of one's personality. Such individuals will be able to adapt themselves to the changing trends of the society as also to serve as change agents for happier living. Such an education will help in self-actualization of every one.
Value-Orientation of education assumes special significance, though it is inclusive in the definition of quality education, due to the present day phenomenon of hypocrisy, corruption, dishonesty, and many other indicators of ethical defilement and moral pollution. The major tasks before the schools are to realise significance of this program, identify values for different age groups of students, develop methodologies for value clarification and adoption as also for evaluation. Their efforts may be thwarted by the existing value crisis in home and the societies. But schools have this important responsibility in order to save the world from impending peril of degradation and even self annihilation. Schools may also help other sectors of the society to adopt such strategies as may make life more satisfying and useful rather than its being self-centered.
Modern advancement in technologies can contribute immensely towards quality education. Telecommunication, world-wide network of computers, use of internet and other electronic communications have made the world a global village. We are truly living in an "Information Age". Schools can now provide teaching and learning situations in a "Global Classroom". This would, however, require development of state or region-wise system of advanced information technology. Each school has to equip classrooms with multimedia facilities, computer laboratory and library and media-center to draw on all types of external resources. District education offices or District Institutes of Education and Training may also develop a network for communications and data bases for many types of information. Similarly modalities of state and national level technology will have to be worked out.
Application of Modern Management Techniques in school situations is another promising area to promote quality education. The teacher has to cease to be a mere provider of information. As a manager of teaching learning situation, he has to work as a facilitator in the growth of child. Being friend, guide and mentor, a teacher has to promote self- learning among children. As a manager in the classroom, the teacher has to plan, how to motivate child in self learning and to become creative and innovative. Development of peer relations and healthy triangular relations between parents, child and teacher and also be possible. Above all, use of modern management techniques will keep the teacher ready to grow and to be conscious about the developments which can be related with learning.
Every teacher as a Counsellor also will become very necessary in the new system when there will be emphasis on "Quality Education" and "Use of modern technologies". So, besides understanding teaching learning strategies, every teacher must be able to know the students well through tests & observations. In fact, she should be able to elaborate on issues so that a child is able to understand oneself well. This would require full knowledge of the techniques of guidance services as also developing appreciations for individuals differences. This would help in developing abilities for self-direction among students.
Parent Education will come up as an additional responsibility of teachers because in the process of quality education, positive collaboration between school and home will be definitely conducive. Teachers will have to make the concept of quality education clear to parents as also to warn them against the narrow goal of passing examinations only. Behavior problems of children may also be discussed at such meeting of parents. Misunderstanding of the parents may also be resolved regarding their notions of educations as they are being implemented in the respective schools. Schools may also acquaint the parents with techniques to manage the children and their problems at home.
Research and development will be the twin functions of the new school to achieve best possible development in every child. Every school is a big laboratory where young minds are being moulded. It can hardly afford best possible development in every child. Its role is dynamic and every teacher has to find out practical solutions to all problems. Teachers must, therefore, be trained in abilities in action-research will lead to quality education as also it will enhance their prestige as professionals. Similarly, development activities like preparation identifying problems, understanding their nature and solution thereof. Their of curricular materials & learning aids will enable very school to solve its own problems and acquire an independent stature as a unique institution.
Institutional Planning both at short-term basis will be another important dimension to achieve quality education. Every school should plan future programmes keeping in view its problems, goals and unique features in terms of physical, academic and financial aspects. It should also cover all aspects of student growth i.e. curricular, co-curricular evaluation, parental involvement & community participation. This plan of action should be reviewed periodically. A comprehensive document to be prepared for the future development would cover all other aspects discussed here. This would require whole-hearted participation of all staff members & thorough discussions to reach the final points of action.
Continuous & Comprehensive Professional Growth of Teachers will serve as the Master key to achieve quality education. This area has to cater to all the other aspects in developing needed competencies among teachers as also refreshing their knowledge & increasing faith in the tasks they have to perform. This requires carefully planned ‘School-based In-service education of Teachers’ SBINSET. This will make the programe self-dependent, self-motivated, self-sufficient & self-inspired. Above all, it will help solve the local problems & inspire teachers to generate innovative ideas to bring about quality education.
As the new millennium and the 21st century has ushered in, this milestone should be celebrated with determination to work for quality education in all schools. Students in the system will have unique opportunities for all-round development and to acquire technological proficiency to cope with the information age. Supported by school-focussed research and backed by modern management techniques, the school curriculum should promote holistic learning. Individual guidance will cater to varying interests & aptitudes ensuring innovative & creating thinking. Above all, students will be able to make value-based judgements, to take just actions & to be responsible for their own learning. This would, however, require & continuously learning teacher with commitment to his own professional development. Abounding quality in education with eternal values ingrained in one's conduct will make all individuals grow & glow. Our societies, in turn, will emerge to be learning, loving & living worthwhile lives.
The author is founding Director of Global Center of Quality Education
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