'Remedial education should be a continuous element in schooling system'

Telangana Education Commission chairman opined that the consultation was necessary, following poor levels of understanding and learning crisis at the base

Remedial education in schools, to enhance ability to learn among children, should not become an add-on facility but integral and continuous element in the schooling system. This would not only help in learning but also in making it equitable and inclusive.

That was the view of scholars, professionals, voluntary organizations in children education and school authorities, at the consultative workshop on remedial teaching in schools organized by Telangana Education Commission (TEC) here on Tuesday.

TEC chairman Murali Akunuri noted that the consultation was necessary, following low levels of comprehension and learning crisis at the foundation level. "A number of students who don't possess basic competency are not only losing precious time but also their confidence and dignity. The structural problems, such as multi-grade classrooms and less concentration on early education in Anganwadis, have accelerated the crisis," he said.

As R.Venkat Reddy of MV Foundation, which works extensively with out-of-school children, said, such students who are able to learn if provided the right atmosphere. Begin where the learners are, acknowledge diversity in class and establish a democratic learning community, he recommended.

For Ram Babu of Pratham, Mumbai-based organisation, who interpreted the trends of Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) trends, adoption of interventions 'Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL)' in the State would strengthen the foundation skills further.

Professors at Indira Mahindra School of Education Shikha Takker and Mythili Sastry also underlined the requirement of a good conceptual base of Mathematics and the role of school leadership in remedial teaching.

Ms.Sastry also asked a question: "Is remedial education time-bound or as an ongoing support system throughout the year?" 

With common experiences, a teacher from Khammam gave instances of short-term intense interventions, one organisation said story books and reading sessions could be good tools whereas another proposed individual tutors throughout the year and infusing remedial education in welfare hostels and schools through volunteers.