In a class of his own

KOCHI: He is a role model for students, just as teachers should be. His passion and commitment to the job for 28 years won him the President’s medal and the state government award for excellence in teaching. Mathew Cherian, headmaster of Edappaly Upper Primary School,  was honoured at a function organised by the Kerala Vyapara Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithy at Changampuzha Park on Sunday. “The majority of schools  today are far better than those in the 80s when values eroded and standards deteriorated. The middle class began to shift their wards to private schools, but now the standard has improved. It’s time the stigma attached to government schools is erased,” he says on the standard of education in government schools.During the 90s, the government,  teachers, NGOs and other agencies campaigned for the betterment of government schools which has yielded results. The standard of education  is better, but it’s difficult to convince parents and get them to recognise the changes, he says.“The performance of government school students is good and they are making their mark in professional fields. In the new curricula, stress is laid on social issues and solutions. The class should start with an issue, for example, contamination of water, it should discuss why water is contaminated, followed by the physics and chemistry of water. After adventuring through these realms, a solution of preventing water pollution can be reached,” he says.  The curriculam today encourages logical thinking and laying the foundation in the mother tongue augments it. English education is the demand of the hour and can be introduced from Std V, he said. The infrastructure in government schools is very good and teachers are being paid well. But it can be made better if a comprehensive vision is implemented. Teachers should have a passion for teaching and know how to communicate with children. Moreover, teachers at the primary level must be well equipped to give a good base. “A teacher eligibility test should be conducted before selecting those aspiring to do TTC and B ed. The teachers should have a passion to impart knowledge in interesting and loving ways,” he says.Education is a social need, a process. Society should intervene, which will make teachers more accountable. The concept of neighbourhood schools, as per Kothari Commission and RTE, holds great significance as school development committees, school supporting bodies and the community population can then play an active role in education. Communities should own schools and this should be developed from the grass roots level, he says.Mathew  began his tryst with education in Meghalaya with tribal students, mostly orphans at Garo Hills nearly three decades ago.  “There I learnt what it is to give and receive love and became passionate about teaching.”  Later he  taught at a school in Malappuram till the PSC appointed him in Kothamangalam. He was into training teachers and was active in education-related projects and associations too. This Chottanikkara-based teacher has two daughters who have passed out of government schools and cleared SET and NET respectively.