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Schools introduces new exercises for teachers to teach Gujarati language more interestingly.
In order to make Gujarati language interesting and attractive for high school students, the education department has introduced various exercises for teachers.
A new textbook has been published that will be used in the current academic session that begins this month. The exercise for teachers include watching DVDs of the Tele-serial 'Bharat Ek Khoj' based on Jawaharlal Nehru’s Discovery of India, discussing Father Carlos Valles, a Spanish Jesuit who worked for the preservation of Gujarati language, and the elaboration of the culture, ethnicity and cuisine of Gujarat. These exercises are at the end of each chapter in the newly-framed Class IX curriculum for Gujarati language, both as first language and second language subject.
This initiative was introduced after looking at the declining popularity of the Gujarati language in the Class 10 board examination. Over 2.29 lakh students (27.56 per cent) failed in Gujarati language alone in 2015-16, leading to a huge number of detentions.
The new books asks the teachers to discuss the ongoing efforts towards preserving the language with students. For instance, a Class IX book says, “Father Valles being a Spanish is so worried about Gujarati language. Isn’t it a bigger responsibility for us being a Gujarati to preserve this language — discuss this with students in detail.”
The books also discuss Gujarat's ‘Mahajan culture’ where money is given back to the society by the wealth creators. A chapter on Vinoba Bhave in Class IX asks teachers to “look for Bharat Ek Khoj film and show its DVD to students. Explain to students with examples — The heritage of Indian culture, its diversity, grandeur, ancient.”
At the end of some chapters, the teachers are given the list of Gujarati idioms that are to be explained to students with “detailed discussion in an effective manner”
The teachers are also advised to tell students about Gujarat’s festivals, culture, lifestyle, eating habits, ras, garba, huda, tribal dances and fairs.
“During the recent brainstorming sessions on the concern over our mother tongue losing hold among the youth, it was realised that there is a lapse on the part of teachers. Once teachers understand the concepts, it would be easier for them to teach the students. Also, we have focused on how to make this subject interesting for students. For this, we have added use of audio, visual aids, films and learning beyond books,” said Gujarat State School Textbook Board chairman Nitin Pethani.
"In recent years, the education department has not given importance to Gujarati teachers", said Purushottam Patel, who retired as the head of department of education department at Gujarat Vidyapith and now is a trustee of Matrubhasha Abhiyan, the campaign initiated to revive Gujarati.
"The losing interest and increasing preference for English is not only restricted to Class X, but also to Class XI and XII science stream students. In 2015, merely 0.22 per cent students took Gujarati as a language subject (among options of Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, English, Sindhi, Marathi or Arabic) in Class XII science stream against 84.13 per cent students who preferred English language in Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSHSEB) board examinations." Read an online portal.
Keeping this in view, the GSHSEB proposed a few months back to make the language compulsory for Class XI and XII Science stream students. This is yet to be implemented.