31 March, 2018
30 March, 2018
How can we make better use of summer vacation for our kids
Dear folks.... pls read... its for your kids...involve and teach the kids few life skills to manage themselves...
Summer vacations are around the corner.
Parents are busy searching for suitable camps for children .
Almost 2 months break...
Art, theatre, Football, basketball, robotics, dance, nature walk, cooking, painting...So many options...
Interested parents should also include the following in the list:
1. My child this time will learn to wash his plate.
A 12 yr girl last time shocked me when I asked her to put the plate in the sink by saying ' oh sorry aunty. I did not know this is my duty. At my house, either maid or ma takes it..'
2. My child, every morning will learn to fold his bedsheets and and arrange the pillow and bed.
3. During this 2 months period, my child will learn to eat what I cook instead of what he likes to eat.
4. My child, will gather his friends, and go for evening walks, introduce themselves to neighbors and people playing in the garden.
5. My child, along with his friends will make lemonade after their outdoor play.
6. He has few cousins at my hometown. When he is going to visit them, he is taking only one set of toys, not 3 sets. This time he learns how to share.
7. Instead of going to big cinema halls, he will gather some friends, make a screen in the terrace , hire a projector and watch, it will be an Awesome experience.
8. My child is going to stay with grand parents, uncles and aunts without parents for sometime.
Children are ready to explore. Only the parent's apprehensions blocks them. Without showing them options parents decide children can't or dont stay without them.
9. Children can Make a dollhouse out of cardboard .
10. Children can Make kitchen utensils out of real clay.
You will never believe the creativity of our children when you leave them on their own.
11. If they fall sick, let them be healed without any medicine. Can't we wait parents? It's only vacation. Atleast now we can let their immunity work.
12. Let them wake up without alarm, let them go bed after a tiring play.
There is life beyond maths, language , science, art, craft, robotics, handwriting, Olympiads etc..
Waking them up again in the morning, getting them dressed for some classes, making them sit and do activities again, please remember NOT ALL CLASSROOMS HAVE 4 WALLS.
Summer vacation is not only for children, it's for parents who can take time to recharge themselves for the next academic year, take care of their health and mind.
Happy holidays everyone
Summer vacations are around the corner.
Parents are busy searching for suitable camps for children .
Almost 2 months break...
Art, theatre, Football, basketball, robotics, dance, nature walk, cooking, painting...So many options...
Interested parents should also include the following in the list:
1. My child this time will learn to wash his plate.
A 12 yr girl last time shocked me when I asked her to put the plate in the sink by saying ' oh sorry aunty. I did not know this is my duty. At my house, either maid or ma takes it..'
2. My child, every morning will learn to fold his bedsheets and and arrange the pillow and bed.
3. During this 2 months period, my child will learn to eat what I cook instead of what he likes to eat.
4. My child, will gather his friends, and go for evening walks, introduce themselves to neighbors and people playing in the garden.
5. My child, along with his friends will make lemonade after their outdoor play.
6. He has few cousins at my hometown. When he is going to visit them, he is taking only one set of toys, not 3 sets. This time he learns how to share.
7. Instead of going to big cinema halls, he will gather some friends, make a screen in the terrace , hire a projector and watch, it will be an Awesome experience.
8. My child is going to stay with grand parents, uncles and aunts without parents for sometime.
Children are ready to explore. Only the parent's apprehensions blocks them. Without showing them options parents decide children can't or dont stay without them.
9. Children can Make a dollhouse out of cardboard .
10. Children can Make kitchen utensils out of real clay.
You will never believe the creativity of our children when you leave them on their own.
11. If they fall sick, let them be healed without any medicine. Can't we wait parents? It's only vacation. Atleast now we can let their immunity work.
12. Let them wake up without alarm, let them go bed after a tiring play.
There is life beyond maths, language , science, art, craft, robotics, handwriting, Olympiads etc..
Waking them up again in the morning, getting them dressed for some classes, making them sit and do activities again, please remember NOT ALL CLASSROOMS HAVE 4 WALLS.
Summer vacation is not only for children, it's for parents who can take time to recharge themselves for the next academic year, take care of their health and mind.
Happy holidays everyone
28 March, 2018
27 March, 2018
26 March, 2018
25 March, 2018
Kerala Higher Secondary Exams and Associated Question Leakage Issue..
The Butterfly Story
One day a child goes to his mother and asks her, " Ma, who is that old man sitting on the mountain? " Mother answers, " Don't call him an old man, for he is Lord Lord Shiva, who knows the answer to every question in this universe. " " Really, he knows answers to all questions? " asks the child. " Yes my dear " replies the mother. The child goes to the mountain where Lord Shiva is meditating, catches a butterfly in from the garden, and cupping the butterfly gently in his hands, he aproaches Lord Shiva. Keeping his hand behind his back, he asks Lord Shiva, " Is the thing in my hand alive or dead? " The child thinks that if Lord Shiva answers that the thing is alive, he will crush the butterfly in his hand and show the dead butterfly proving Lord Shiva wrong. And if Lord Shiva answers that the thing is dead, he will open his gently cupped hand, allowing the butterfly to fly away showing that the butterfly was alive and again proving Lord Shiva wrong. Thus Lord Shiva did not know the answer to all questions. " Is the thing in my hand alive or dead? " repeats the eager child. The Lord Shiva opens his eyes, nods his head and replies, " My dear son, the answer lies in your hands! "
Answers to all questions about our life is within us
Rote Learning and Fading Aspirations of Learners..
By Radhakrishnan C
24 March, 2018
Why did Krishna not save the Pandavas when they played dice with Duryodhana & Shakuni?
Wonderful explanation by Krishna himself:_
From his childhood, Uddhava had been with Krishna, charioting him and serving him in many ways.
He never asked for any wish or boon from Sri Krishna.
When Krishna was at the verge of completing His Avatar, he called Uddhava and said,
_‘Dear Uddhava, in this avatar of mine, many people have asked and received boons from me; but you never asked me anything._
_Why don’t you ask something now? I will give you._
_Let me complete this avatar with the satisfaction of doing something good for you also’._
_Even though Uddhava did not ask anything for himself, he had been observing Krishna from his childhood._
_He had always wondered about the apparent disconnect between Krishna’s teachings and actions, and wanted to understand the reasons for the same._
_He asked Krishna, ‘Lord, you taught us to live in one way, but you lived in a different way.
In the drama of Mahabharat, in the role you played, in your actions, I did not understand many things. I am curious to understand the reasons for your actions.*_
Would you fulfil my desire to know?’*_
Krishna said, ‘Uddhava, what I told Arjuna during the war of Kurukshetra was Bhagavad Gita.
Today, my responses to you would be known as ‘Uddhava Gita’.
That is why I gave this opportunity to you. Please ask without hesitation.’
Uddhava starts asking. ‘Krishna, first tell me who is a real friend?’
Krishna says, ‘The real friend is one who comes to the help of his friend in need even without being called’.
Uddhava: ‘Krishna, you were a dear friend of the Pandavas.
They trusted you fully as Apadhbhandava (protector from all difficulties).
Krishna, you not only know what is happening, but you know what is going to happen. You are a great gyani.
Just now you gave the definition of a true, close friend.
Then why did you not act as per that definition.
Why did you not stop Dharmaraj (Yudhishtra)
from playing the gambling game?
Ok, you did not do it; why did you not turn the luck in favour of Dharmaraj, by which you would have ensured that dharma wins. You did not do that also.
You could have at least saved Dharmaraj by stopping the game after he lost his wealth, country and himself.
You could have released him from the punishment for gambling.
Or, you could have entered the hall when he started betting his brothers.
You did not do that either.
At least when Duryodhana tempted Dharmaraj by offering to return everything he lost if he bet Draupadi (who always brought good fortune to Pandavas), you could have intervened and with your divine power, you could have made the dice roll in a way that is favorable to Dharmaraj.
Instead, you intervened, only when Draupadi almost lost her modesty and now you claim that you gave clothes and saved Draupadi’s modesty;
how can you even claim this – after her being dragged into the hall by a man and disrobed in front of so many people, what modesty is left for a woman?
What have you saved?
Only when you help a person at the time of crisis, can you be called ‘Apadhbandhava’.
If you did not help in the time of crisis, what is the use?
Is it Dharma?’
As Uddhava posed these questions, tears started rolling from his eyes._
These are not the questions of Uddhava alone.
All of us who have read Mahabharata have these questions.
On behalf of us, Uddhava had already asked Krishna.
Bhagavan Krishna laughed._
‘Dear Uddhava, the law of this world is: ‘only the one who has Viveka (intelligence through discrimination), wins’.
While Duryodhana had viveka, Dharmaraj lacked it.
That is why Dharmaraj lost’.
Uddhava was lost and confused. Krishna continues :
‘While Duryodhana had lots of money and wealth to gamble, he did not know how to play the game of dice.
That is why he used his Uncle Shakuni to play the game while he placed the bet.
That is viveka.
Dharmaraj also could have thought similarly and offered that I, his cousin, would play on his behalf.
If Shakuni and I had played the game of dice, who do you think would have won?
Can he roll the numbers I am calling or would I roll the numbers that he is asking for.
Forget this.
I can forgive the fact that he forgot to include me in the game.
But, without viveka, he did another blunder.
He prayed that I should not come to the hall as he did not want me to know that through ill-fate he was compelled to play this game.
He tied me with his prayers and did not allow me to get into the hall;
I was just outside the hall waiting for someone to call me through their prayers.
Even when Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva were lost, they were only cursing Duryodhana and brooding over their fate; they forgot to call me.
Even Draupadi did not call me when Dusshasan held her hair and dragged her to fulfil his brother’s order.
She was also arguing in the hall, based on her own abilities.
She never called me.
Finally good sense prevailed; when Dusshasan started disrobing her, she gave up depending on her own strength, and started shouting. ‘Hari, Hari, Abhayam Krishna, Abhayam’ and shouted for me.
Only then did I get an opportunity to save her modesty.
I reached as soon as I was called.
I saved her modesty._
What is my mistake in this situation?
‘Wonderful explanation, Kanna, I am impressed.
However, I am not deceived.
Can I ask you another question’, says Uddhava.
Krishna gives him the permission to proceed.
'Does it mean that you will come only when you are called!
Will you not come on your own to help people in crisis, to establish justice?’, asks Uddhava.
Krishna smiles. ‘Uddhava, in this life everyone’s life proceeds based on their own karma.
I don’t run it; I don’t interfere in it.
I am only a ‘witness’. I stand close to you and keep observing whatever is happening. This is God’s Dharma’.
_‘Wow, very good Krishna. In that case, you will stand close to us, observe all our evil acts; as we keep committing more and more sins, you will keep watching us. You want us to commit more blunders, accumulate sins and suffer’, says Uddhava.
Krishna says, ’Uddhava, please realise the deeper meaning of your statements.
When you understand & realise that I am standing as witness next to you, how could you do anything wrong or bad. You definitely cannot do anything bad. You forget this and think that you can do things without my knowledge.
_That is when you get into trouble._
_Dharmaraj’s ignorance was that he thought he can play the game of gambling without my knowledge._
If Dharmaraj had realized that I am always present with everyone in the form of ‘Sakshi’ (witness), then wouldn’t the game have finished differently?’
_Uddhava was spellbound and was so very overwhelmed by Bhakti._
_He said,_ ‘What a deep philosophy, Kesava.
What a great truth!
Even praying and performing pooja and calling Him for help are nothing but our feelings / beliefs.
When we start believing that nothing moves without Him, how can we not feel his presence as Witness?
How can we forget this and act?
Throughout Bhagavad Gita, this is the philosophy Krishna imparted to Arjuna.
He was the charioteer as well as guide for Arjuna, but he did not fight Arjuna's War’:-
Realize that the Ultimate Sakshi / the one who is the Witness is within & within you!
And Merge in that God Consciousness!
Discover Thy Higher Self- The Pure Loveful & Blissful Supreme.
Please realise that God is with us all the time at the time when u do good as well as when you commit mistake...
Every time I read this gives a smile on my face...
From his childhood, Uddhava had been with Krishna, charioting him and serving him in many ways.
He never asked for any wish or boon from Sri Krishna.
When Krishna was at the verge of completing His Avatar, he called Uddhava and said,
_‘Dear Uddhava, in this avatar of mine, many people have asked and received boons from me; but you never asked me anything._
_Why don’t you ask something now? I will give you._
_Let me complete this avatar with the satisfaction of doing something good for you also’._
_Even though Uddhava did not ask anything for himself, he had been observing Krishna from his childhood._
_He had always wondered about the apparent disconnect between Krishna’s teachings and actions, and wanted to understand the reasons for the same._
_He asked Krishna, ‘Lord, you taught us to live in one way, but you lived in a different way.
In the drama of Mahabharat, in the role you played, in your actions, I did not understand many things. I am curious to understand the reasons for your actions.*_
Would you fulfil my desire to know?’*_
Krishna said, ‘Uddhava, what I told Arjuna during the war of Kurukshetra was Bhagavad Gita.
Today, my responses to you would be known as ‘Uddhava Gita’.
That is why I gave this opportunity to you. Please ask without hesitation.’
Uddhava starts asking. ‘Krishna, first tell me who is a real friend?’
Krishna says, ‘The real friend is one who comes to the help of his friend in need even without being called’.
Uddhava: ‘Krishna, you were a dear friend of the Pandavas.
They trusted you fully as Apadhbhandava (protector from all difficulties).
Krishna, you not only know what is happening, but you know what is going to happen. You are a great gyani.
Just now you gave the definition of a true, close friend.
Then why did you not act as per that definition.
Why did you not stop Dharmaraj (Yudhishtra)
from playing the gambling game?
Ok, you did not do it; why did you not turn the luck in favour of Dharmaraj, by which you would have ensured that dharma wins. You did not do that also.
You could have at least saved Dharmaraj by stopping the game after he lost his wealth, country and himself.
You could have released him from the punishment for gambling.
Or, you could have entered the hall when he started betting his brothers.
You did not do that either.
At least when Duryodhana tempted Dharmaraj by offering to return everything he lost if he bet Draupadi (who always brought good fortune to Pandavas), you could have intervened and with your divine power, you could have made the dice roll in a way that is favorable to Dharmaraj.
Instead, you intervened, only when Draupadi almost lost her modesty and now you claim that you gave clothes and saved Draupadi’s modesty;
how can you even claim this – after her being dragged into the hall by a man and disrobed in front of so many people, what modesty is left for a woman?
What have you saved?
Only when you help a person at the time of crisis, can you be called ‘Apadhbandhava’.
If you did not help in the time of crisis, what is the use?
Is it Dharma?’
As Uddhava posed these questions, tears started rolling from his eyes._
These are not the questions of Uddhava alone.
All of us who have read Mahabharata have these questions.
On behalf of us, Uddhava had already asked Krishna.
Bhagavan Krishna laughed._
‘Dear Uddhava, the law of this world is: ‘only the one who has Viveka (intelligence through discrimination), wins’.
While Duryodhana had viveka, Dharmaraj lacked it.
That is why Dharmaraj lost’.
Uddhava was lost and confused. Krishna continues :
‘While Duryodhana had lots of money and wealth to gamble, he did not know how to play the game of dice.
That is why he used his Uncle Shakuni to play the game while he placed the bet.
That is viveka.
Dharmaraj also could have thought similarly and offered that I, his cousin, would play on his behalf.
If Shakuni and I had played the game of dice, who do you think would have won?
Can he roll the numbers I am calling or would I roll the numbers that he is asking for.
Forget this.
I can forgive the fact that he forgot to include me in the game.
But, without viveka, he did another blunder.
He prayed that I should not come to the hall as he did not want me to know that through ill-fate he was compelled to play this game.
He tied me with his prayers and did not allow me to get into the hall;
I was just outside the hall waiting for someone to call me through their prayers.
Even when Bheema, Arjuna, Nakula and Sahadeva were lost, they were only cursing Duryodhana and brooding over their fate; they forgot to call me.
Even Draupadi did not call me when Dusshasan held her hair and dragged her to fulfil his brother’s order.
She was also arguing in the hall, based on her own abilities.
She never called me.
Finally good sense prevailed; when Dusshasan started disrobing her, she gave up depending on her own strength, and started shouting. ‘Hari, Hari, Abhayam Krishna, Abhayam’ and shouted for me.
Only then did I get an opportunity to save her modesty.
I reached as soon as I was called.
I saved her modesty._
What is my mistake in this situation?
‘Wonderful explanation, Kanna, I am impressed.
However, I am not deceived.
Can I ask you another question’, says Uddhava.
Krishna gives him the permission to proceed.
'Does it mean that you will come only when you are called!
Will you not come on your own to help people in crisis, to establish justice?’, asks Uddhava.
Krishna smiles. ‘Uddhava, in this life everyone’s life proceeds based on their own karma.
I don’t run it; I don’t interfere in it.
I am only a ‘witness’. I stand close to you and keep observing whatever is happening. This is God’s Dharma’.
_‘Wow, very good Krishna. In that case, you will stand close to us, observe all our evil acts; as we keep committing more and more sins, you will keep watching us. You want us to commit more blunders, accumulate sins and suffer’, says Uddhava.
Krishna says, ’Uddhava, please realise the deeper meaning of your statements.
When you understand & realise that I am standing as witness next to you, how could you do anything wrong or bad. You definitely cannot do anything bad. You forget this and think that you can do things without my knowledge.
_That is when you get into trouble._
_Dharmaraj’s ignorance was that he thought he can play the game of gambling without my knowledge._
If Dharmaraj had realized that I am always present with everyone in the form of ‘Sakshi’ (witness), then wouldn’t the game have finished differently?’
_Uddhava was spellbound and was so very overwhelmed by Bhakti._
_He said,_ ‘What a deep philosophy, Kesava.
What a great truth!
Even praying and performing pooja and calling Him for help are nothing but our feelings / beliefs.
When we start believing that nothing moves without Him, how can we not feel his presence as Witness?
How can we forget this and act?
Throughout Bhagavad Gita, this is the philosophy Krishna imparted to Arjuna.
He was the charioteer as well as guide for Arjuna, but he did not fight Arjuna's War’:-
Realize that the Ultimate Sakshi / the one who is the Witness is within & within you!
And Merge in that God Consciousness!
Discover Thy Higher Self- The Pure Loveful & Blissful Supreme.
Please realise that God is with us all the time at the time when u do good as well as when you commit mistake...
Every time I read this gives a smile on my face...
23 March, 2018
What is CBSE? Why am I Proud to partner with CBSE?
Look at the facts provided below... I Don't think anyone who knows about CBSE may differ from me....
Kindly visit the following links to know about CBSE affiliated schools in Kerala with Govt. of Kerala's No Objection Certificate:
http://cbseaff.nic.in/cbse_aff/schdir_Report/userview.aspx
These schools follow NCERT (National Council for Education Research & Training) syllabus and teaching methodology. To know about Syllabus, National Curriculum Frame Work and Subject & Language wise Position Papers on methodology, approach and objective visit:
1. For text books:
http://epathshala.nic.in/e-pathshala-4/flipbook/
2. NCF & Position Papers:
http://www.ncert.nic.in/rightside/links/focus_group.html
3. Syllabus - Grade I to XII:
http://www.ncert.nic.in/rightside/links/syllabus.html
4. CBSE website link: www.cbse.nic.in
5. CBSE Academic Unit Website:
CBSE has a special and unique site for catering to the needs of schools affiliated to it in India and around 65 countries abroad:
http://cbseacademic.nic.in
6. Link to know how Teacher Training, Innovation & Research are conducted for CBSE Schools:
http://cbseacademic.nic.in/tir/
7. CBSE Curriculum for 2018-19:
http://cbseacademic.nic.in/curriculum.html
8. Vocational Education under CBSE:
http://cbse.nic.in/newsite/curriculumVocational.html
9. Heritage Education under CBSE:
http://cbseacademic.nic.in/heritage/
10. National level entrance exam - NEET:
https://cbseneet.nic.in/cbseneet/Welcome.aspx
Browse the links above and understand how well CBSE is organised.
Its hard to find in the world an education board which is so updated, innovative, research based and value all internationally accepted principles of Quality Management Principles... It's demographic reach all over India and abroad is envious to everyone around the globe....
Be proud to partner with such a national education board as a student, teacher, parent, admin staff, trainer, alumni, consultant, management or as a well-wisher!
By Radhakrishnan C
Serving in the education sector for last 25 yrs....Exposed to K-12 State, CBSE, ICSE, IB & IGCSE and Higher Education Sectors.
Kindly visit the following links to know about CBSE affiliated schools in Kerala with Govt. of Kerala's No Objection Certificate:
http://cbseaff.nic.in/cbse_aff/schdir_Report/userview.aspx
These schools follow NCERT (National Council for Education Research & Training) syllabus and teaching methodology. To know about Syllabus, National Curriculum Frame Work and Subject & Language wise Position Papers on methodology, approach and objective visit:
1. For text books:
http://epathshala.nic.in/e-pathshala-4/flipbook/
2. NCF & Position Papers:
http://www.ncert.nic.in/rightside/links/focus_group.html
3. Syllabus - Grade I to XII:
http://www.ncert.nic.in/rightside/links/syllabus.html
4. CBSE website link: www.cbse.nic.in
5. CBSE Academic Unit Website:
CBSE has a special and unique site for catering to the needs of schools affiliated to it in India and around 65 countries abroad:
http://cbseacademic.nic.in
6. Link to know how Teacher Training, Innovation & Research are conducted for CBSE Schools:
http://cbseacademic.nic.in/tir/
7. CBSE Curriculum for 2018-19:
http://cbseacademic.nic.in/curriculum.html
8. Vocational Education under CBSE:
http://cbse.nic.in/newsite/curriculumVocational.html
9. Heritage Education under CBSE:
http://cbseacademic.nic.in/heritage/
10. National level entrance exam - NEET:
https://cbseneet.nic.in/cbseneet/Welcome.aspx
Browse the links above and understand how well CBSE is organised.
Its hard to find in the world an education board which is so updated, innovative, research based and value all internationally accepted principles of Quality Management Principles... It's demographic reach all over India and abroad is envious to everyone around the globe....
Be proud to partner with such a national education board as a student, teacher, parent, admin staff, trainer, alumni, consultant, management or as a well-wisher!
By Radhakrishnan C
Serving in the education sector for last 25 yrs....Exposed to K-12 State, CBSE, ICSE, IB & IGCSE and Higher Education Sectors.
09 March, 2018
Syllabus Reduction – Are We Aiming Creation of Brainless Data Banks?
By Radhakrishnan C
Most of us felt much relieved
when we heard about government’s decision to reduce the syllabus. I have a
different take on this. I don’t think syllabus or curriculum is the root cause
of learner stress. More than syllabus, how we approach syllabus or curriculum
must be looked into. The current curriculum or syllabus is driven by learning
outcomes, and if we are able to focus on this, there is no need to cut. Reducing
the content becomes a right approach only if the outcome we expect is mugging
up and presenting it as it is in a standardized assessment. To survive in the
current world, learners need to go even beyond the current curriculum or
syllabus, and understand how to apply the theories learned in day to day life and
real life situations. Learners must be able to innovate to improve upon the
current practices and solve the issues coming up, to create a better tomorrow
for all.
The challenge is – in our
traditional classrooms, every page and every word in textbooks is expected to
be taught and mugged by students. Nobody is bothered about its applicability
and practical skills. Assessment is standardized, hence all must mug up to have
a better score. In this assessment system there is no chance for individualized
leaning based on the interest or aptitude of the learner. This creates stress
and makes people feel that content is heavy. We must first focus and build an
attitude on what to teach and what to achieve as learning outcome? Our focus
must be on balancing the school calendar events, providing sufficient weightage
for co-scholastic – sports, literary, cultural and life skill activities along
with individualized learning and assessment practices to strengthen academic
foundation. I do not believe cutting syllabus will help us to have more
experiential learning, co-scholastic activities and life skill oriented
programs in schools. We need to restructure our approach on lesson delivery and
assessment. Actually, by withdrawing the CCE, without having a better system,
we pushed back the system to a more traditional one.
If CBSE continues the present
confusing and frequent altering of policies, parents may move to some other
international boards, which would cater to the needs of learners in a better manner
and prepare them for the future. Policy makers must reform the system to alleviate
the root causes rather than looking for a peripheral change just to prove
someone in the past was wrong. Changes we implement must be to improve the
learning outcomes. It shouldn’t be for producing more certificate holders who are
incapable to convert the knowledge they gained into wisdom and apply in real
day to day situations. Hence, we need to look for a curriculum which can really
bring forth the hidden talents in learners and prepare them with the much needed
life skills to be successful. In short, creating ‘data bank brains’ won’t help
our current school going generation to thrive in the future.
Your comments after introspection
are most welcome…..
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)