Chennai, Aug 25:
School Education Minister Rajmohan on Monday announced a series of measures aimed at reducing students’ learning burden, making lessons more engaging and improving physical education and school infrastructure across Tamil Nadu.
Responding to members during the Assembly debate on the School Education Department’s demands for grants, Rajmohan said the government would introduce story-based learning methods, particularly for difficult subjects such as mathematics, to make lessons easier and more interesting for students.
‘No student should be called average’
The Minister said students should not be compared with one another based on their learning abilities and instructed that no child should henceforth be described as an “average student.”
He also announced the creation of ‘TN3 Arivuthalam’ and said the special ‘Tamizhpechu Uyir Moochu’ initiative would be introduced in 13,259 government and aided schools across the State to promote Tamil.
2,771 physical education posts to be filled
Rajmohan announced that 2,771 vacant physical education teacher posts in the School Education Department would be filled immediately.
He also said a key decision concerning teachers would be announced in the Assembly on Tuesday.
Physical education periods in all government and private schools must not be cancelled or diverted for other subjects under any circumstances, the Minister said.
Traditional sports such as chess and kabaddi would be revived and promoted in middle schools. Students would also receive a special sports jersey along with their regular free uniforms.
Focus on student welfare
Rajmohan said Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had instructed officials to approach students who make mistakes with the objective of reforming them rather than treating them as criminals.
He said a proposal had been sent to the Chief Minister for consideration to increase the protein content in the existing nutritious meal programme, keeping in mind the physical development of students.
Schools with as few as 10 students would continue to function, he added.
The Minister warned that strict action would be taken against private schools found violating rules and collecting excessive fees.
Kamarajar college development scheme
To improve infrastructure in government educational institutions to international standards, the government will implement the Perunthalaivar Kamarajar College Development Scheme, Rajmohan announced.
He also assured that complete transparency would be maintained in urban and corporation-related contracts.
In another announcement, he said combined drinking water supply would commence from September 15 in Nagapattinam district, fulfilling a long-standing demand of residents.
Assembly terminology changed
Rajmohan also accepted a request made by PMK MLA earlier in the day to replace the traditional term “maiden speech” (Kannip Pechu) used for a member’s or minister’s first speech in the Assembly with “introduction speech” (Arimuga Urai).
He subsequently began his own address using the new terminology, marking a change in the Assembly’s traditional usage.