‘Mozhigal’ was launched three years ago to improve students’ spoken English through games, video modules and frequently asked questions
Chennai: Poor maintenance of hi-tech labs and the lack of dedicated class periods have left the state’s flagship spoken English programme for Classes VI to VIII largely defunct in govt schools. Spearheaded by Tamil Nadu State Council for Educational Research and Training, ‘Mozhigal’ was launched three years ago to improve students’ spoken English through games, video modules and frequently asked questions. Teachers accessed the portal through their EMIS login IDs from computer labs in schools.However, school heads said that while the portal remains active, classes are rarely held. “In the first two years, there were dedicated periods for the subject, and students and teachers were keen on taking them. In the past year, there is no allocated period and the classes are taken for students during the hi-tech lab period. But there are several other activities and assignments that students take during these periods,” a headmaster said.Teachers said that after L&T’s contract to maintain the hi-tech labs ended last year, several systems were left non-functional. “There are connectivity issues and inadequate number of UPS. Several students use the same computer, making it difficult for them to learn,” said a govt school teacher.SCERT director N Latha did not respond to queries. An SCERT faculty member said new modules had not been uploaded to the portal and that chief educational officers and district educational officers had not raised the issue. “There are plans to make the window more interactive. But there has been no update,” he said.Teachers also called for making spoken English compulsory to prompt greater departmental attention. “Students should be graded for spoken English too. The subject should at least be made part of internal assessments. Additionally, the respective block education officers should carry out regular inspections to see if the classes are progressing smoothly,” said M Ramalakshmi, a retired school head.
