Don't act like mere courier agents: Yashpal

Updated on: Monday, December 28, 2009

Ahmedabad: Former chairman of University Grants Commission Professor Yashpal today advised teachers that they should not act like mere "courier agents" by delivering just what's written in the books.

"Generally, children lose the curiosity as they grow and we, the elders, are responsible for the phenomenon. When they wonder at the mystery of some developments and inquire about it, we adults ignore them. As a result, they start believing that raising questions doesn't make any sense," Yashpal said. during the opening ceremony of the 17th National Children Science Congress (NCSC) here.

"Instead of that, we, particularly teachers, should try to generate curiosity in the young minds and help them satisfy their curiosity," Yashpal who is also president of the NCSC Committee said.

He advised teachers to learn even from their students. "Learn from children. We need to learn from children to wonder, to be interested in new things and not make them prisoners in the walls (of different subjects) which we have created," he added.

Yashpal said that students are teachers of teachers because they raise questions. "Teachers should not make themselves courier agents by delivering mere what is written in the books to children," the scholar said.

The NCSC was inaugurated by Vice-President Hamid Ansari, where Gujarat Governor Dr Kamla at a function attended by Chief Minister Narendra Modi also remained present.

The NCSC's theme this year is 'Planet Earth-Our Home, Explore, Care and Share', where over 800 students from across the country and SAARC countries between the age group of 10-17 years would participate in various events.

As part of the five-day event, a host of programmes like technical session for child scientists, activity corner, scientific exhibition by premier institutes, cultural programmes by students, panel discussions, and interaction with scientists across the country through video conferencing, would be held.

All the programmes will be held at the Gujarat Science City campus and Sri Swaminarayan Gurukul Vishwavidhyalaya Pratishthanam (SGVP) International School.

Don't act like mere courier agents: Yashpal

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