S.K.Sasikala Devi, the Headmistress of Nandanam Government School shares her
thoughts and views on the Involve Classrooms in her school. She is a native of Chennai
and has been in the teaching field for more than 33 years. This is the third consecutive
year that she has been a headmistress of this school.
1. What has been the impact that you see that Involve has made on the school and
the classroom environment?
I am more than happy to see the children adapt and grow. Ever since Involve classes
began, there was a steep incline towards the interest they had in education. They seemed
to pay more attention in classes and also never hesitated to ask doubts. One spectacular
change that I see in these kids is the Leadership qualities they have developed. They
take responsibilities and now kids take care of themselves and each other in class. This
step towards change is just the change every classroom in this country needs.
2. What is the change that Indian Education needs?
Children of today are the youth of tomorrow. They shouldn’t study for the sake of
studying. Schooling is a process where they LEARN. Learn to answer the questions that
life throws. They should know what they want in life and they should be able to decide
their future ahead.
3. How has the classroom culture with the teachers changed in school?
Students don’t hesitate to ask doubts. The bond that the teachers and students share
has become more of a friendly one and there seems to be no boundary. Learning has
become fun and the kids are loving it.
4. What do you think about peer teaching?
It is a good and effective method to teach as well as to learn. Kids don’t face any sort of
fear in asking doubts and there is a true learning process that happens. They gain
extraordinary skills and sometimes they do leave us in awe.
5. Do you have any suggestions that can be done to improvise the program?
I think the number of hours spent on peer teaching must be increased. Since it has been
effective in teaching and learning I think it’s high time we do that. Also, more activities
and games motivate the kids to be creative and have holistic learning progress.
INVOLVE 