This refers to the article “Teachers, isn't it time to teach?” (Open Page. June 27). Teacher absenteeism is a serious issue. In government schools, headmasters have a lot of work but they are unable to supervise or control the teachers. So I suggest the government appoint academic supervisors with special powers of supervision. It is because of the flaws in government schools that private schools continue to mushroom in our country.
Bright Rathinam,
Chennai
The article took me down memory lane. I taught in a prestigious college and was often pained to see some of my colleagues enjoying themselves at the canteen when they were expected to be in their classes. Assignment papers were carelessly and erratically assessed, and high marks were awarded “to be on the safe side.”
It is time an effective mechanism was devised to assess the quality of teaching periodically. The government should adopt a no-compromise approach to poor quality. Let us disprove Bernard Shaw's jeering remark: “He who can does. He who cannot, teaches.”
Venu C. Nair,
Kochi
The government considers its job complete once it increases the financial resources to make education compulsory and inclusive. As for the mandated teaching time, teachers handle classes of 70, with continuous evaluations, compulsory election and census work — even during the vacations — with most students not interested in serious studies. Children are not to be physically and mentally forced to study for the fear of bringing pressure on them.
A majority of school teachers are paid a pittance with no gratuity and other benefits. Most private school teachers get much less than their mandated pay. The government should take steps to include teachers in their welfare measures. Otherwise all its efforts to improve education are bound to fail.
S. Narayan,
Mumbai
