Wednesday, Feb 17, 2010
Sivaganga: S. Muthukumaran, former Vice-Chancellor, Bharathidasan University has stressed the need for quality common curriculum for strengthening schools in rural areas.

Delivering valedictory address at a two-day programme on common curriculum for schools at Alagappa University in Karaikudi on Saturday, he said the parents usually sent their children only to nearby schools in rural areas. Hence, all the schools irrespective of region should be strengthened with the common curriculum so that the children were not deprived of anything that was learnt by their peers in the urban schools. Enumerating various means of bringing in quality education, he said establishing board of education which was free from political interference, helping the students to learn at least few competencies when they complete their primary education, individualised teaching methodology were the need of the hour. Quality text books should be provided to the students. Every school should maintain records of all the details of every learner, overall performance from standard I to standard XII levels should be considered for final evaluation and teachers should not be given other responsibilities not related to school work.

Mr. Muthukumaran also said that the children should be given opportunity to learn at least three languages such as regional language, Hindi, English and they should be provided with a holistic education. A. Shenbagavalli, Registrar in-charge presided over the inaugural function. M.P. Vijayakumar, Adviser, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Chennai, delivered inaugural address. S. Sudalaimuthu and M. Selvam, R. Natarajan, Members of the Syndicate, offered felicitations. P. Prema, Dean, Faculty of Education, Alagappa University welcomed and R. Ramnath, Assistant Professor proposed a vote of thanks.