In one of the biggest exercises taken by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Government in over 1,000 Delhi Government run schools, the ‘Mega’ parents-teachers meetings (PTMs) saw parents flocking schools across to take feedback on their wards’ performance on Friday .
Lauding Happiness and Entrepreneurship curriculum, Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Manish Sisodia said both the curriculums were highly appreciated by parents who felt that this was the need of the hour.
“Parents enthusiastically assured teachers that they would support the child in the activities suggested under the curriculum,” the Minister said.
“Apart from discussion on the Happiness and Entrepreneurship Curriculum, teachers were asked to discuss absenteeism and irregular attendance of students. Heads of schools have been asked to prepare a list of low achievers whose parents did not attend the PTM. The low achievers will be identified on the basis of assessment under Mission Buniyaad and their results of the last academic session 2018-19. Such parents will be called for a meeting with teachers at a later date,” an official of the Directorate of Education said.
The PTM was scheduled to take place on April 20 but it was put on hold after the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the AAP of using the PTM as an opportunity to influence voters and get political benefits during the general elections.
Sisodia, along with former adviser and AAP leader Atishi, visited several schools in Hari Nagar and Shakti Nagar and interacted with parents and their wards.
The mega PTMs were introduced in schools last year. Sisodia said PTMs are important platforms for interaction between teachers and parents in Delhi’s Government schools.
“It is evident that the parent-teacher engagement which the Government aimed to institutionalise through Mega PTMs has been achieved. We are happy that this exercise, which used to be limited to big private schools, has now become an integral part of the culture of Government schools. I congratulate all Principals and teachers for making this Mega PTM a success,” said Sisodia.
“Our aim of promoting a discussion on the entrepreneurship mindset curriculum was achieved today. The excitement in parents for the curriculum goes to show that the demand for such measures was always there. But the Government’s focus on education has led to many such steps being taken that have transformed the overall quality of education in government schools, Sisodia said further.
Tabish Mohammad, a parent said, “My son’s performance earlier was very bad. Now with the PTM we get to know quarterly about his performance and that’s what has motivated him to improve.”
Jitender Sati , a resident tweeted live interaction : Today Delhi @Minister_Edu & Patparganj MLA @msisodia & @AamAadmiParty Senior Leader .@AtishiAAP Interacting with Students & Parents in Sarvodaya Bal Vidyalaya Veer Udham Singh, Mandawali.
Dr Rupika Chahal tweeted, “After reviving the culture of Parent-Teacher meeting, @AamAadmiParty led Delhi Govt has rejuvenated and established a two-way accountability among parents and teachers in #DelhiGovtSchools, where now both take equal responsibility of rearing a child.”
Another parent Ashok Kumar tweeted, “Along with PTM a prize distribution ceremony for outstanding students in co curricular activities was also organised. More than 200 parents came till 9:30 great support and interest shown by #megaPTMindelhi #DelhiGovtSchool.”