From Our Correspondent
TURA, Sep 21: The A•chik Literature Society (ALS) recently held a meeting with representatives from the Garo Graduates Union and the Senior Citizens’ Forum, on issues arising from the NCERT report of the national survey of class III pupils of proficiency in their vernacular and mathematics published in the Times of India and deliberated in detail over the problems of primary schools in Garo Hills.
As the majority of the LP Schools are directly under the Government, and the centrally sponsored SSA Schools are under its management, the meeting decided to request the Government of Meghalaya to focus more on the teaching and learning of the pupils, rather than to other duties assigned to the teachers that require their absence from teaching in schools.
It also resolved to push the government to appoint Pre-Primary teacher for every Primary School to teach pupils and prepare them for admission to class –I, in order to bridge the gap between learning the alphabet and the text book that present a big challenge, to emphasize timely inspection of every Primary School by SDSEO, focusing on the teaching imparted by the teachers and the learning gained by the pupils, and to take firm steps to eradicate absenteeism among teachers and students.
In addition, the members discussed the important role to be played by the NGOs in outreach programmes, the Managing Committees, the Churches in all areas to improve the Primary education and curb the menace of drop-outs.
Many members spoke out of their own experience at one time or the other as Primary School teachers, knowing what ails the elementary school learning, which is of prime importance in the formative period of a child’s life.
All the members present spoke out their views, opinions, and observations to address the problems and create awareness in urban, rural and far flung areas about taking seriously the importance of education, the urgency of the situation and extending support in every way possible.