Mega Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs) organised by the Delhi Government across the national Capital on Saturday evoked good response as most parents visited the school premises to attend the meeting.
Keen parents thronged the Delhi Government-run schools to get feedback on performance of their wards at the second mega parent teacher meeting.
"For the first time I felt that my children are also studying in a big private school," Rekha Devi, a parent told The Pioneer after attending the meeting in Sarvodya Kanya Vidyalaya, area in North Delhi.
Another parent Sunita Gupta, who attended the PTM at Mukharjee Nagar, said the teachers were very courteous and she came to know about her child's conduct in the school. She also mentioned that such a meeting should be called at regular intervals as it makes us aware of our child's strength and weaknesses.
All the parents on Saturday enthusiastically queued up in schools across the city eagerly waiting for their turn to be briefed by teachers. First edition of this exercise was carried out in July by the Government with an aim to improve overall performance of the students.
"The first PTM had got good response and we were getting repetitive queries from parents and even teachers about when will the next PTM be held. Parents and teachers need to have an engagement to ensure better nurturing of children," Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said.
"We will plan a similar exercise every 3-4 months to ensure that the engagement continues. Parents have found the perfect window or platform to engage and interact with their children's teachers. It is an opportunity for both stakeholders to understand the child's requirements better," he said.
Sisodia, who is also the Education Minister, had visited some schools in his constituency to meet parents and oversee the conduct of the PTM. PWD Minister Satyendra Jain and labour Minister Gopal Rai also visited many schools and interacted with parents and children. More than 1,000 Government-run schools also handed out report cards to parents even as some teachers had complained of less time to prepare the results as schools were closed for Dussehra break.
Dhanpal, father of Sunita Pal, who studies in 12th standard at Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya in Nehru Vihar said, "I am very delighted to attend PTMs as I am briefed about all the relevant aspects pertaining to my child such as classroom's behaviour and overall performance.”
"Teachers also informed me about the initiatives being taken by the school administration to improve the subjects in which students have not performed well. My daughter has scored less in English and Mathematics but her class teacher told me not to worry. It was a good experience," he added.
"I was curious to know if my son attends classes on not. I also got to know that he is good in mathematics but his English was poor," said Bidya, who works as domestic help. Prem Nath, auto driver said, "I realised that we need to spare our daughter from some of the household chores so that they can focus more on their studies.”
Also, students were seen announcing direction to parents and inviting all to have tea and snacks on loud speakers
Rakesh Sharma, who teaches Political Science at a Government Senior Secondary School at Mukharjee Nagar said, "We are briefing the parents about the new academic plan and suggesting them to make sure that all their children study regularly at home so that the next day they can put their doubts to us. We put all the efforts on daily basis for improving their learning skills and overall performance throughout the session. We are also using positive terminology while giving feedback to parents".