Communication skills is very important to teachers, opines UoM Sociology Department Head Dr. H.P. Jyothi

Mysore/Mysuru: “It is not easy to teach tribal children. And despite all odds, teachers, bringing these tribal children to the mainstream of the society through their teachings is laudable,” said University of Mysore (UoM) Sociology Department Head Dr. H.P. Jyothi.

She was speaking after inaugurating the six-day refresher training camp for teachers who are teaching English, Maths and Science subjects at Maharshi Valmiki Ashram Schools organised jointly by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Karnataka State Tribal Research Institute (KSTRI) at Regional Telecom Training Centre (RTTC) in T.K. Layout here on Monday.

Pointing out that learning is a continuous process without any age limits, she said that teachers should have good communication skills, without which they cannot teach properly. “Teachers should have sound knowledge on language and subjects and they should go to the level of children and teach them. If the teachers are disciplined, children can learn discipline from them,” Dr. Jyothi added. Teachers, while teaching in their own methods, should encourage children so that the children could grasp what is being taught to them and should involve the children in more activities, she said and added that children should be made to ask questions and it is also important to reduce pressure on them.

District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) Principal Raghunandan, who also spoke said that the culture of tribals was far better that the urban culture but they still need education so that they will not be cheated by others.

KSTRI Director Rajesh G. Gowda, who presided, said that Ashram School teachers from Mysuru, Chikkamagalur, Raichur, Koppal and other districts are being provided training. The Education Department in a bid to bridge the gap between other teachers and Ashram School teachers is conducting this training camp every year, he added.

Lessons should not be read out but it should be taught so that the students can remember the lessons taught to them, he said and added that this training camp will help teachers teach lessons with enthusiasm, Rajesh Gowda said.

More than 75 teachers of Ashram Schools from across the State are taking part in the training camp. KSTRI Research Officer C. Shivakumar, Accounts Officer Girish, Mohan, resource persons Bhagyalakshmi, S. Nagaraju, Madhusudhan, S. Asha, G. Mahesh, Nandeesh and others were present.