Principals' meet explores current education issues

NAGPUR: On the second day, the Principals' Educational Conference (PEC) continued to provide valuable insight into current educational scenario. Organized by South Point School in association with principals of other institutions, the fourth edition of the event has raised the bar for itself. This time educationists and speakers have come from various states and even abroad.Former president APJ Abdul Kalam will address the closing session on Thursday and hand over awards to teachers.
'Back to blackboard' is the theme for PEC this year and it has been exploring the various aspects of technology aided interactive teaching and the traditional methods as well. Sumati Bisen, teacher at Saraswati Vidyalaya who spoke on the subject, asserted the need for changing the teaching techniques. She said, "Today's education teaches fear, jealousy, and comparison and makes a student more of a parrot that mindlessly repeats whatever s/he is taught."
Rasika Dasture, principal, South Point School, Hanuman Nagar, spoke on 'Absence of subjective core in education'. She said, "Teachers should focus on making a child learn basics." She gave the example of a mechanic and an automobile engineer, who had comparatively same amount of practical knowledge but the difference lay in theoretical knowledge they have.
Usha Ramalingam, principal, School of Scholars (Gadchiroli) made presentation on 'Concept of a Rishi'. "A rishi or a seer is a personification of all spiritual and scholarly qualities- love, surrender, humility, wisdom, knowledge, detachment and accommodation," she said. Ramalingam dwelt on values of the ancient system of learning and how it was beneficial to everyone. Vijaya Desai, principal of Somalwar Nikalas School spoke about the depth of knowledge that ancient seers had. She said, "The seers passed their knowledge through their words of wisdom, they made their words sound important to their disciples."' She stated that Kalam, who will be visiting the conference on Thursday, was a modern-day rishi. "He wants to help students from the bottom of his heart," she said.
Sanjay Sinhal, managing director of Sinhal Education, spoke on the importance of qualitative teaching, saying, "There are approximately 27% students in the world who end up being dropouts and the teachers should ensure each student remained in the class."