Childhood is children's right
Just about a few years ago, it wasn't a practice to send children younger than 7 years to school. They could spend all that time with their parents and other family members who lived with them. That's the reason why we believe home is the first school of a child. That's where the seeds of values and imagination grow. Whatever children learn in school used to be an extension of their learning at home. Children learn their language and mother tongue from their mothers. A mother teaches in a rather unconventional method to her kids. She doesn't teach the rules of grammar to her kid. The child doesn't even know it is being taught something. The child begins to learn unconsciously listening to the mother's affectionate expressions of language.
Children often speak what they hear from their mother when they begin to say their first words, it's their mother's language. The child becomes a part of the society by learning from his or her parents’ behaviour too. Only after children's learning is complete in the house, should the doors of school open for them. But in the last two years, things have drastically changed for the kids. Now they have to be admitted into convent schools soon as, or even before they are born.
Parents and the system force the child into LKG and UKG even when the child barely begins to speak. Which means child is away from home even before it completes 3 years of age. Even before the mother finishes her teachings, the child is snatched away from her and school books are imposed on the child. The bond between the child and the mother reasons from being strengthened for good. This is one of the main reasons the bond between kids and parents is getting weaker with every passing generation. Because they don't get to know each other. Even before they realise, kids are robbed of the affection of parents.
Now teachers in school can barely make good for the affection kids would have lost out at home. Children are forced to face strange people at barely three years of age and bear the burden of books and learning, that's imposed on them. This is the main reason for their poor self esteem that creeps in at this stage which gradually takes over the child's personality. Children begin to carry books from a very young age and home work instills such fear in them that they suffer the consequences of this for many many years to come. Without being able to shower affection, the parents spend time disciplining childern to do homework and other stuff that has been made order of the day, thus ruining the secure fabric of this beautiful bond.
Kids barely enjoy their childhood or remember good things about their younger days owing to all this. With things being this bad, the central government's decision to reduce books and home work for children is the most welcome change. The government had ordered for the homework to be done away with for kids studying in first and second grade, and has also specified the burden on books to be reduced to bare minimum.
First and second standard students have to be taught only language and maths, and nothing else. And students from third to fifth classes should be additionally taught EVS and maths as specified by NCERT. If this order is implemented in its right spirit, children can be saved from this demon of homework and have a normal childhood. They not only escape unnecessary homework, but don't have to carry heavy books in their bags. They can spend time with their parents without feeling the burden or work or fear the class teacher next day.
Childhood is a right that belongs to the children. No one can snatch it from them. Neither the parents not the educational institutions have any right to snatch it from them for their prestige. Children should go to school only after they have completed their learning at home and not to ensure their parents’ false prestige. If parents feel kids should secure high marks to maintain their glory as the parents of the child, it becomes some kind of child labour in basic terms. Kids don't go to school only to secure marks and it should never be so that kids are forced to make schools and parents proud only when they secure good marks. It is the responsibility of school and parents to ensure the learning happens through fun and not as a punishment.
The centre shouldn't rest after issuing this order. The work does not end there. It should also ensure effective implementation of the order by schools. Even parents must question those schools which do not implement the order well. They must also ensure their kids don't turn out into marks horses. If parents and educational institutions come together, a thorough change can be bright into the educational system in our country. We need to understand children have to naturally evolve into fine beings than be forced to grow up fast beyond their level of comprehension. Only this can help their future get better with time and for generations to come.
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Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
