This refers to the article “Can't they teach them how to deal with life's problems?” (Open Page, July 25) and the fruitful discussion stirred up in these columns. I understood many textbook concepts and their applicability in real-life situations after I began teaching abroad. When I began teaching here 30 years ago, I tried to integrate textbook concepts and real life applications in my classrooms. But I was considered a slow teacher who needed to give more importance to covering the portions. When I went abroad, I had the pleasure of training my students to solve problems in a practical way, using lesson concepts.
Panamalai R. Guruprasad,
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I was born and brought up in a small village in Northern England. I attended junior school attached to the local church and went on to study at a reputed grammar school. Most of my skills, if any, were gained at the schools I attended. Two class periods a week were devoted to Domestic Science for girls and Carpentry for boys (this would probably be considered ‘politically incorrect' today). In my DSc class, I was taught cooking, laundry, how to clear a drain, change a fuse, bathe a baby, change a baby's diaper, balanced nutrition, basic gardening skills, how to make and balance a home budget, keep a clean home, time-management, use of a sewing machine, embroidery, knitting, personal hygiene, basic banking, wise shopping ... the list seems endless. I believe I benefited in many ways.
Radha Gopalakrishnan,
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My wife, daughter of an Air Force NCO, is from Orissa. She could study only up to Senior Cambridge because her father died early and she had to start earning to support her younger brothers. She used to repair her bicycle, sewing machine, electric stove and fuse. She made our daughter adopt this culture when she was just in school. Our daughter studied in a remote village in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, and then in Jammu. Due to paucity of funds, she could not go for higher education. She took up a certificate course in fashion designing, took a small loan and started a boutique in Chandrapur 10 years ago. She not only designs but also cuts, stitches, darns, does embroidery and everything associated with her profession. She can even repair electrical machines. It all boils down to an individual's attitude and upbringing.
Ronjoy Sengupta,
Chandrapur
On going through the debate on basic skills, I am reminded of an article written by poet Kannadasan some 50 years ago. He suggested that students at the high school level be taught simple skills. In the 1950s, schools did teach some basics of carpentry, book binding, tailoring, mat-weaving and other skills in the craft hour.
V. Chandrasekaran,
Chennai
Basic skills play a vital role in our day-to-day lives. My friend applied for a post-graduation course in economics. I helped him fill up the application and prepared for it to be sent by registered post with acknowledgment due. His house was just behind the head post office of our town. Next day, the postman brought the cover asking him to send it properly. He called me for help again. I found that he had dropped the cover in the post box instead of handing it over at the counter.
A.G. Rajmohan,
Anantapur
I read the articles on basic skills with interest and am reading the letters with even more interest. I fully agree with the author and the readers that the inculcation of basic skills should form part of education. I copied the article, together with the readers' views, to bring them to the attention of my superiors but I am unable to do it since opinions pour in every day.
D. Darwin Albert Raj,
Kalpakkam