On Sept.8, the Corporation Middle School at Gandhigramam, Thiruvanmiyur, Adyar, was witness to an event where community members, especially parents, teachers and other members of the community congregated to discuss with the ward councillor how best to improve the performance of school children in the Corporation schools of Ward 179 comprising Thiruvanmiyur and Besant Nagar. Such an event has been a regular ever since Kayalvizhi Jayakumar took over as the Ward Councillor.
Apart from her focus on various developmental activities of her Ward, Kayalvizhi has also been actively involved in upskilling and improving the performance of the corporation schools in her Ward. With this focus, she has roped in Citizens for Harmony, Amity & Integrity (CHAI), a volunteering outfit based on the model of cooperative federalism, to offer free Spoken English classes for the children and teachers of these schools.
Kayalvizhi spoke to the volunteers personally, requesting them to attend the meeting of parents and teachers of the three schools and share their feedback as well as discuss ways and means to improve their collaboration. “Her personal involvement is an inspiration to us to continue our efforts with more enthusiasm. The meeting was productive and we discussed ways to improve spoken English among the schoolchildren. The councillor was very receptive to our ideas and appreciated our service,” say Sudhersena and Neela Ramakrishnan who are volunteers in TV Kuppam Beach Road.
“The councillor listened patiently to the problems expressed by the teachers. She is very energetic,” says Banu Harichandran. CHAI volunteers suggested that the teachers should speak in English and requested projector facilities in classrooms for audio-visual mode of education. They also mooted the idea of educational trips to nearby places. “The councillor was very enthusiastic and proactive with regard to the issues discussed about the schools,” says Muthulakshmi. Priya Samuel and Kalpana Sivakumar join the volunteers of CMS Gandhigramam, “The councillor appreciated our efforts and thanked us for our services. CHAI volunteers came back feeling encouraged.”
“The way the councillor approaches problems is very commendable. She was trying to find immediate and on-the-spot solutions for the problems discussed. She is making great efforts to run the schools in her ward smoothly. We convey our sincere appreciation and best wishes to her,” Banu Harichandran, one of the volunteers of CMS Gandhigramam, sums up the impressions of CHAI volunteers at the meeting. If such meetings were to be regular in all the corporation schools of Tamil Nadu, corporation schools will witness a massive change in the quality of students who pass out of these institutions.
CHAI is looking for committed volunteers who can devote one hour for three days a week to impart Spoken English teaching to underprivileged children. To join as volunteers of CHAI contact Swati: 94443 67633 Ganga: 98400 48680.
