Harsha/Newindpress

Mangalore, Dec 1: Thinking and speaking skills missing among children in Dakshina Kannada district needs due attention in classroom teaching.

However, a development of competencies in thinking and speaking among children should be facilitated by a total revamp in curriculum, syllabi and teaching methods, recommends the first such multi-centric study on public opinions on effectiveness of primary education in the district.

The study conducted across 14 sections of the society in DK district by College for Leadership and Human Resources Development, lists 12 recommendations. A majority of them are easily implemented at school-level, while rest would require government’s intervention, says DIET Principal Philomena Lobo.

The study recommends a cell in school to counsel illiterate parents who have forced their children to abandon studies. Schools through parents should discover means on extending financial help to the poor students and set up a redressal system to solve the complaints of students.

The study recommends government to initiate teaching training programmes to equip teachers with adequate competence to teach English, expose them to new methods of teaching, assessing knowledge, preventing a feeling of alienation among students and sensitising them about corporal punishment.

The report singled out headmasters for special training. ‘‘Many respondents have confided that if headmasters are capable of leading from front, then the school will function very well,’’ the report reads and recommends empowerment of headmasters with newer concepts of leadership.

Education department should have regular interactions with stakeholders in primary education to enhance its quality. The report also encourages Education department to increase awareness on learning and teaching process in community and elicit critical opinions.