Identifying the potentials of the child in the early age while in school or at home is vital for child’s development. Further, the child needs to be exposed and taught properly following right methodology so that all of the virtues are properly honed and put to proper use thereby benefiting and shaping the future of the individual. Overall development in understanding, reading, comprehension, speaking and writing should be given due attention while the student is in the school or college. One of the key components essential for the shaping the future of the child besides other virtues is the ability to write.
Writing ignored: Though there are efforts made to inculcate writing habits in a preliminary way, taking care of shape of alphabets — handwriting, there is hardly any focus on how to compose the contents to be written in a systematic and efficient way as a result the child doesn’t get the practice to effectively communicate one’s thoughts through writing. Either the child ends up as a poor writer or a vague writer and thus do not rise to higher levels because of this deficiency. Sometimes by the time the child develops this habit or skill it becomes too late and doesn’t contribute adequately to one’s career progression in our educational system.
Writing, a portfolio among teachers abroad: During my recent visit to US institutions, I found in a majority of institutions, a portfolio known as “Professor of Writing” and a Department titled Writing, which baffled me as it is unknown in here. On a detailed discussion with the concerned faculty in the U.S., I came to know that there is a separate portfolio in UG colleges, which enables and facilitates students from the time he or she joins the college as a first year or freshman.
Writing, need of the hour: As the student joins the institution in the US, proper orientation and screening of students are done in the first few days or weeks of commencement of an academic year, in order to identify one’s strengths and weaknesses or shortcomings, and if one needs special attention, it is provided. Since writing constitutes a major component in the academic journey of an individual irrespective of any field one pursues, this area, if properly channelised and groomed, for which a Department of Writing or a Unit is established in schools and colleges, it would help many a student.
Application of writing in UG courses: Through the involvement of professors focused on writing, the student receives due attention and training as the student ought to do composition, presentation of project proposal (as independent or joint project/research which is a part of UG education in the overseas institutions), project report or a research thesis and so on. Specialised focus on writing enables to properly put across one’s thoughts in the right and proper perspective and not to mince or mix words in the presentation. This method of approach wards off unwanted usage of words and expressions and makes the presentation crisp and to the point thus making reading meaningful and appropriate and makes the reader to capture the thoughts of the writer in the best manner possible.
Proper Writing, leading to laudable outcomes: During my three decades of teaching, research and administration, I have had the distinct privilege of associating with officials and friends through many international engagements and used to be appreciative of the manner in which they have their presentations clearer and in a sharply focused manner. No wonder many of the overseas writings such as project proposals and reports, etc are widely accepted with appreciation as they have been properly and systematically exposed to writing skills in their formative and developing years of the lives.
Nobel laureates and quality publications in world acclaimed journals and magazines emerge from some of the well-known nations of the world and one of the secrets of the success would undoubtedly be the focus on writing in their educational systems in these countries. Hence, it would be worthwhile to consider the portfolio of writing in our educational system both in schools and colleges as that aspect is expected to enhance and augur Indian education, which is undergoing, frequent changes in the past few decades.
R. W. Alexander Jesudasan is Principal and Secretary Madras Christian College
