Minister for Education R. Kamalakannan, on Wednesday suggested a re-look at conventional teaching methods in schools so as to make the learning process for children more fun-filled.
“The learning process should be more fun-filled as it will help children comprehend better during their formative years,” Mr. Kamalakannan said, while addressing the ‘Principal’s Day 2017’ hosted by The Hindu In School, in association with Kokuyo Camlin with CK Confident Kids as the value partner. The event was to commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary.
Mr. Kamalakannan noted that the theme ‘Let’s make Learning Fun’ was very relevant in the present context. “I find the theme of Principal’s day also relevant. I hope they share their best practices,” he said.
Stating that the heads of institutions played an important role in the process of every child through their dedicated team of teaching faculty, he said: “The future of India lies with young people. It is necessary that students be educated properly so that they imbibe good habits and thoughts.” He added that The Hindu was known for its authentic and credible journalism with a great legacy of over 130 years. “ The Hindu has catered to the learning needs of young children through the school edition that will help develop young minds,” he said.
Mr. Kamalakannan said: “ The present education system should train students to face challenges professionally and help them achieve excellence.”
He hoped that the school edition would gain popularity among students in both rural and urban areas.“The students in rural areas should compete with the students of urban areas. To achieve this objective, the education department of the Government of Puducherry will take all necessary steps,” he emphasised.
Amudha Ranganathan, Trustee, CK Group of Institutions, Cuddalore, and Founder and Director Canopo International, Chennai and P. Subramaniam, Assistant Regional General Manager, Circulation, The Hindu in School, Chennai were present. Saumitra Prasad, Chief Marketing Officer, Kokuyo Camlin Ltd, said: “We are very excited to celebrate the third edition of Principals’ Day in Puducherry. While Camlin also celebrates Children’s Day and Teacher’s Day, we took the initiative of creating Principal’s Day two years ago to recognise the crucial role that the heads of institutions and schools play in shaping and moulding young minds. A principal is an administrator, educator, psychologist, motivator and thought leader of the school. However, their contributions are often not recognised.”
At a panel discussion that followed, participants discussed how learning could be made more interesting through art at the Principal’s Day programme.
Chandra Shekhar Ojha, DGM Marketing, Kokuyo Camlin Ltd, said that children should be allowed the freedom to paint and experiment.
They should be motivated to express themselves. Their work should be valued and appreciated. Art helped the children in observation, assimilation, concentration, imagination and expression, he said. “Thereby, it helps develop self-esteem in children. They become emotionally strong. Art also develops fine motor skills, better eye-brain and hand coordination,” he added.
V.Sujee Vijay of CK School presented the innovative methods their school has evolved in teaching. ‘We need to create more entrepreneurs,” she said, adding that both academics and extracurricular activities were of equal importance.
A. Senthil Kumaran, Chief Confluencer, The Learners Confluence, Bengaluru, who moderated the discussion, said that education should not become a burden for children.
