Montessori to inquiry-based and experiential way of teaching has taken the primary education segment in India by storm.
Deebashree Mohanty explores what is the big advantage of this modern way of teaching over the traditional set-up. Experts say that the children who pass out from such ‘different’ schools are more holistically developed and better equipped with ‘life skills’
If you have a strong foundation in your primary years, you can face any challenge that the world poses for you. You are in a better position to handle interview stress, can ace any group discussion and can come out as a clear winner in any format. Just get the basics right and everything else will fall in place
— Charles B Kerk, a British educationist, said at a press conference in 1982
In the last decade there are around 40 ‘international’ schools that have forayed into the education space in India and each is propelling a different kind of a teaching experience. According to a 2013 survey of jobsnext.com, a job portal that comes out with career related statistics, more than 45 per cent children who have passed out from unconventional set-ups have a greater chance to occupy leadership positions in corporate and Government agencies.
In 20 per cent cases, children who have had a montessori style of education (or similar) have been found to be more independent, outgoing and better equipped to perform tasks. “At this level, there is a marked difference between a child who comes from a rigid, traditional style of teaching and one who has been taught by play and learn means. It’s easy for a child to rote and re-produce what is being taught in class but it is very difficult for such a child to pick up life skills,” Vinod Bakshi, CEO of jobsnext.com, says about the findings of the survey.
New methods of learning
When the Italian montessori method of teaching came into India way back in the 90’s, schools were apprehensive about the system. But as more and more parents realised that this style of teaching was doing a world of good to their wards, the montessori way became quite popular.
“Now there are more than 20 new methods of teaching. Each city and school is willing to experiment with these global techniques and it seems to be working. The most formative years for the brain’s development is between age 3-7 years. Whatever the child grasps during these years, stays with him for his life. Therefore, it is important for the parent to choose a perfect primary school which teaches the child holistic development and not just focuses on rote learning,” N Chandramouli, CEO of Trust Research Advisory, says, adding that the advisory is coming up with a comprehensive report on India’s Most Trusted Educational Institutes.
Apart from this typical montessori method there are schools that are going for an unstructured play and learn technique where the child is given full freedom to explore the world around him and to learn while playing. There are other schools that boast of an inquiry based teaching methodology.
“Our core philosophy is that the child’s curiosity needs to be satisfied. He should be encouraged to ask questions and should be allowed to search for the answers himself. Only then will he be truly educated. There is no point asking him to write down the alphabet A 200 times in a notebook when he doesn’t know how the alphabet sounds and what more can he create with that sound. So, we use phonetics to teach alphabets and words to a child. It’s much more practical and fun,” Neeti Bhalla Saini, head of junior school, Genesis Global School in Noida, says.
She gives you another example to show the difference between the two means of education — “In the old, conventional set-up, a standard 5th student will be asked to turn pages and learn more about civilisation and factors that influence it. In our school, we take the students to museums, show them how an excavation is done and what comes out of it. We then ask them to think of reasons that influence civilisation. The student uses his imagination to come up with answers. The teacher is merely a guide who helps the child to get his thoughts together,” Saini adds.
There are 13 schools in Delhi NCR alone which have included this system of teaching and the results have been outstanding. “We are academically sound. We follow the same curriculum as prescribed by the CBSE but our means of teaching is different. In 2013, 70 students have scored over 90 per cent,” Shivani Bhatia, teacher of The Global School in Gurgaon, says.
Are we ready for this
While these newage learning techniques have been received well by some parents there are others who are clueless about the system and whether it will prove to be beneficial for their ward in the long run.
“During my time there was no ‘play and learn’ methodology so this entire system was new. When I was told that my child will learn to hold the pencil only when he goes to class 1, I was shocked. Isn’t the child supposed to learn writing in NurseryIJ Given this late beginning, will my child be ready to face competitionIJ Won’t he lag behindIJ I am happy with his overall development but that is not enough. He needs good scores to get anywhere in life,” Shrithi Nayar, a worried parent, voices her concern.
There are many like Nayar who feel the same way but they are willing to experiment with this module for just a little while longer. But that could be a dangerous ploy.
“If you have made the decision to put your ward in an unconventional set-up, you have to give him or her the time to grow within the system. He is not lagging behind in any way. The curriculum is going to merge somewhere and all schools are preparing themselves towards that. My advise to parents — don’t act in a haste and keep pulling your children from one school to another. That disturbs their way of learning,” Dr Nirmal Thakur, educationist and chairman of the Indian Board of Schools, tells you. As per a recent survey, 13 per cent of the top scores in India have had their primary schooling in one of these unconventional set-ups in India.
For parents who worry about the system and the way it works, most schools have workshops to ensure that they are kept in the loop. “These are typical questions that parents have. We have special workshops where we show them how their child is being taught and inform them about their child’s progress every week,” Saini says.
What ails the old system
Many educationists argue that the traditional system of ‘push down’ education right from nursery onwards should be banned. Instead, a more modern approach towards schooling should be encouraged. “In this highly competitive world, this type of a education doesn’t take the child anywhere. He may land up in an IIT or an IIM of his choice but thereafter whatIJ When it comes to job interviews and settling down in a profession, he/ she will find it very difficult,” Chandramouli says. He tells you that there are many changes that need to be brought about in this old system to make it work.
“For one, the rote way of teaching has to be done with. Children find the montessori or the ‘play and learn’ method more fun and engaging, hence they grasp concepts better,” Vineeta Prakash, primary teacher of a renowned South Delhi school, says. Her school propagates the unstructured play and learn technique and Vineeta tells you how the confidence in these children is noticeable from day one.
Career wise
Most corporate and Government companies are looking to hire a person who shows overall growth rather than some one who can fit into a position based on his grades and scores. leadership qualities, individual personality and independent thinking skills is what the employers are looking for these days.
“There are very few openings and many people who fit that job description. We are looking for someone with a vision. And that doesn’t necessarily come if you are a pass out from a premier institution,” C B Swamy, head of HR, Convergence in New Delhi, says.
According to Chadramouli, a career choice should be left to the child and parents should only be supporting agents. “Its inane to control the inevitable. Parents might have a vision for their child but they cannot guarantee that their ward will decide to take the path chosen by his parents. So, it will be a clever thing to let your child grow in his own space. The early years of his life will shape up his personality and parents should be more concerned about that,” he informs.
IDEAl SITUATION
The problem is that education has become a commercial venture for many institutions who are marketing their schools in a way that appeals to parents.
“The newage methods are cool and have produced good results but at the end of the day it all depends on the teacher and the student. If the teacher in a traditional set-up is creative and engaging, her students will do well. In India, such teachers are few and far between. When that changes, it would be an ideal situation,” Usha Albuquerque, career counsellor concludes.