Droping numbers in aided schools...

Government schools and Aided schools experienced a drop in admissions for long. However, the government schools with their financial support, especially from the Central Govt. projects and the local self-government assistance, could overcome most of the hurdles. In this juncture one cannot but appreciate the teachers there who with the support of the PTA and Alumni associations do wonder works in attracting children to their schools through various attractive steps. Unfortunately this is not the case with the aided schools, at least in the case of R. C. Schools, though it is their own community children who are the beneficiaries and they got into this noble profession precisely because most of them were the members of the community.

Nowadays, parents don't want to risk the future of their children sending them to such schools as the children of those teachers are usually sent to 'better' schools elsewhere! If the very teachers who teach in a particular school don't believe in the quality of that school, how can one expect others to send their children to such schools?

Besides other reasons, medium of language is an important factor in such decisions, i think. English has captivated the Malayalees more than any other language groups! May be tht in the highly competetive global job market English could go a long way. That doesn't necessarily mean that one should neglect one's own langauge and stand alienated in one's own land. They are ashamed to own their own language and ready to do anything to obtain a job! In the ultimate count they may not have an individuality of their own even! I wonder where it all will end up!

Would like to suggest something to those who still love the language and try to save it in this onslaught of English and covertly Hindi also. This is could be applicable to all the Indian states and their regional languages. The mother tongue of each state should be the only language in the Primary school level. By this time they could be given a strong foundation in the language and culture so specific to their identity. May be in the Upper Primary stage there could be an opportunity to get to know of as many languages as possible, including Hindi and the children be enabled to choose in between according to their aspirations and aptitude in life.

Also all correspondences within the State be in one's own language and other interstate communications be in English or Hindi as one prefers. This is because no imposition whatsoever is not good.

Another Academic Year!

The early monsoon set a bountiful scene for a this academic year! Children in their best came drenched in rain, in spite of the colourful umbrellas. Teachers and parents did their best to welcome the new ones to the school.

At St. Joseph's HSS, Anchuthengu, it was a happier day as children were provided a better place to learn in the place of a thatched building by dedicating the ground floor of a would be three storeyed building of fifteen classrooms. The new comers were welcomed in one of the classrooms of the new building. They were given free writing materials, sweets etc.

On my way to Anchuthengu visited Pallithura HSS where the heads of the school were new. On my way back visited St. Michael's HS and St. Vincent's HS where the construction of the compound wall was going on at long last. In the later school also the HM was new.

May our children enjoy a joyful year of learning and our teachers and parents provide whatever is needed to achieve that. May the heavens shower blessings as uninterrupted as the monsoon rains.