The new rule book

Updated on: Monday, March 28, 2011

The recent self learning project at Massachusetts saw students running their own school with perfection. Ritwik Mundayur, a class VIII student of St Mary's High school, Navi Mumbai believes that students, the lifeline of education system, should be given free reign to make their own rules...

People assume that if students run their own schools there would be more holidays, less exams and zero learning. This is not the case. In this fast globalised world, students are more interested in acquiring knowledge and putting it into practice. Students are the lifeline of the education system; they know what works, what bores and what makes education fun! Since we are on the brink of an educational change, why not switch leadership and make students in charge of a system that they know best.

Get out of the classrooms

The first thing that an ideal school needs is to get out of the classrooms, literally! We need to inculcate practical learning in all subjects. The best way to learn languages is by living it, so rather than textual learning, schools should organise language fairs where students learn all about the country and its culture. History can be learnt at the museum, geometry can be taught at architectural sites and Science can be mastered in nature parks.

Increase creativity quotient

Our school pays a lot of attention to extracurricular activities, and that helps us in developing our strengths. Creative activities like dance, theatre, music and writing should be included in all schools. Music is an excellent medium of learning; it should be included in the learning process. I feel music and art forms play a vital role in de-stressing students and inspire them to do well in their studies. Music and inspirational poetry work well in a school setup and I truly feel every school should have a music session for its students.

Wings to fly

While it is good to have a rule book when it comes to discipline, learning should not be constrained to such barriers. Students should have the freedom to take up subjects which interest them and drop the ones which don't! The theory paper s should be replaced with more practical solutions wherein students are given true life problems which they have to solve using their knowledge. This ensures that students understand the subject and not merely rote learn.

Gizmo alert

Apple iPads, Mac PCs, language labs ... these facilities should be available for students. Our school has updated computer labs which allow students to experiment and learn. But there is definitely room for improvement. School should be up-to-date with the latest technology and it should be available to all students. Many video games concentrate on academic learning. Such games should be a part of the curriculum. Games and gizmos are a great hit with students. I feel every school should start including them in the school schedule. The teacher-student bonding will also be better if computer games are allowed in the school. School authorities can monitor what games should be allowed. No games surely make the whole school scenario quite boring. Education or curriculum centered games can be designed to makes lessons interesting. This will enable students to grasp their lessons faster and ensure higher academic proficiency.

My rules my school

It is good to have a rule book when it comes to discipline but learning should not be constrained to such barriers Apple iPads, Mac PCs, language labs... these facilities should be available for students History can be learnt at the museum, geometry can be taught at architectural sites and Science can be mastered in nature parks Video games should be a part of the curriculum.

Times of India

The new rule book

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