Chennai: Apart from quality education, Mugappair CFS School students have access to breakfast from Amma Unavagam, school uniforms for those who cannot afford to buy one and special teaching methods for slow learning students and autistic kids. All credits go to Krishnaveni, the Headmistress of the school in Panneer Nagar.
But Krishnaveni remains modest of what she has achieved. “The success behind providing breakfast to our students is a result of combined efforts of a Health Inspector, who was kind enough to arrange everyday breakfast from an Amma Unavagam and our teachers who get the food from there. We started providing one idly for one kid at the beginning and now we provide 3 idly for more than 40 students,” says Krishnaveni, with a happy face.
No discrimination
“A brilliant student told me one day, that they were being judged by other people, for their uniforms. That was really saddening. So with the help of a few people and an NGO we arranged for uniforms and shoes for our school students,” she says.
“Many parents hesitate to send their kids to government schools. They consider it as ‘low status’. We are now changing that widespread assumption. Our academic performance and enhanced study environment have attracted people from upper economic strata. We see that as an improvement. There is no discrimination on any basis in our school. They all are our own children,” adds Krishnaveni.
Special teaching for special children
Talking about the teaching methods for slow-learners and autistic children, she says, “Many students are denied admissions at many schools, because of their physical disability. We accept kids for how they are and what they are and try to develop their skills and learning abilities. We encourage the parents of differently-abled children to come to our school and spend the whole day as a shadow teacher. By following this method, the students learn better and parents-teachers understanding becomes better.”
Build confidence
“All children are talented in one or the other way, but their skills are hidden. As a teacher, it is my duty to help them find their talent. There was this one student, who was very shy and he was quite different from others. He was not as confident as his fellow students. So we started conducting more extra-curricular classes like parai and silambam. These classes are helpful for slow learners. The students excelled in these arts, which helped build confidence and academic performance also witnessed great improvement,” says the proud 50-year-old teacher.