Friday, 15 September 2023 | MANSI BHAMBRI | DEHRADUN
A recent study conducted by the National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT) has revealed that a large number of students hesitate to ask their teachers questions. As per the study about 28 per cent students expressed reluctance in approaching their teachers with queries. Experts point out that fear and parental pressure can serve as significant factors contributing to children refraining from seeking clarification or posing questions to their teachers. They emphasised the importance of implementing child-friendly educational systems in NCERT and other training institutions in order to address this issue for the benefit of the children. Additionally, it is recommended that a training programme be organised for teachers to equip them with psychological strategies to effectively engage with their students, the experts said.
Lecturer at GIC Buranskhanda, Dehradun, Ankit Joshi told this correspondent that the study has yielded accurate findings indicating a prevalent hesitation among children when seeking clarification from their teachers. Such issues among the children are a true example of the Indian education system which has become fearful for the students nowadays. Indian education has turned out to be a system in which a higher percentage matters the most, which ultimately affects the overall development of the children, he added.
He further added the government must consider implementing a continuous comprehensive evaluation system (CCE) for children. This system not only caters to their needs but also alleviates the burden of exam-related stress. Additionally, it is imperative for the NCERT to organise a training programme to equip teachers with effective psychological techniques to better handle children, he added.
“The hesitance observed among children when it comes to asking questions can be attributed to the Indian education system and the influence of parental peer pressure. Presently, students of class VII are studying the material of class X students resulting in a lack of comprehension. Consequently, children possess limited knowledge regarding the subject matter, hindering their willingness to seek clarification from their teachers. To address this issue, it is imperative for NCERT to develop an education system that is more conducive to the needs of children. Additionally, it is essential to implement a teacher training programme aimed at effectively managing students in the classroom,” said a professor at DAV PG College, Prashant Singh.
Talking to The Pioneer, retired educationist Bhupinder Singh Negi said, “In such circumstances, the learning environment plays a pivotal role. Given the sensitivity and introversion commonly observed in elementary-level children, fear takes root in their minds, significantly contributing to their hesitation in asking questions to their teachers. Therefore, teachers must establish a learning atmosphere that is friendly towards children, fostering an environment where students can comfortably and fearlessly discuss their concerns and queries in the classroom”.
