GRG's different style for teaching students
Students of GRG Matriculation Higher Secondary School in the city at the assembly programme.For G.R.G Matriculation Higher Secondary School, the assembly is not just a routine affair that is performed religiously every morning. The school has defined each day of the week and conducts programmes befitting the title given to each day.For instance, on ‘Thoughtful’ Mondays, it may be a brilliant thought that originated in a thinker’s mind that is shared with the students. Tuesdays are ‘Valuable.’ Values essential to leading a dignified human life are imparted on this day.Current affairs are discussed on ‘Eventful’ Wednesdays. Thursdays have been christened ‘Wakeful Thursdays.’ And, as the name suggests, students are made aware of the society around them. Fridays are to ‘Rise and Shine,’ when students can exhibit their reading and writing skills in front of the school.In short, the daily assembly is a platform for the students to learn something new, get over their stage fear and exhibit their talents and most students look forward to it. “A school should always concentrate on overall development of the students, and not just on academics,” says R. Ravi, Principal.
Even if there are talent competitions conducted regularly, there may be a few students who shy away from these due to stage fear. “But, in this kind of a more informal platform, even such students can be encouraged to participate,” he says.Each class is given a week and the students prepare the programmes with guidance from the class teacher and the assembly in charge. The system followed in the previous years was a little different. The entire assembly was conducted in Tamil and on Wednesdays, the students displayed their talents. Later on, interesting facts about subjects were discussed on each day. “But, this year, we have introduced new elements to make it more participative in nature and interesting for the students,” Mr. Ravi says.
The exercise also makes them understand the importance of keeping abreast of current affairs, he says. The Glasgow terror attack, the ongoing trial of the Coimbatore serial blasts, all was discussed in the school assembly.However, the preparation of the programme is left to the students. They decide whether to put the information across as a skit, a song or a small presentation. This never interferes with their studies.On the other hand, it only enriches their awareness and knowledge of their subjects and current affairs. With the introduction of this programme, each student is eager to do extra reading and be up-to-date on events happening around them, Vidya Doyle, Assembly In-charge and Krithiga Devi, class teacher of Standard X, say.
