II

The Wipro chairman has set a shining example by transferring his company’s Rs 12,300 crore to an endowment trust for spending on education in rural areas. In the public sector, funds sanctioned for specific jobs and projects never reach the desired end because of the pilferage of government funds, which is basically people’s money, by government officials, private parties and sanctioning authorities. That is why despite huge funds sanctioned for various serious causes, 100pc benefit never reaches the grassroots level. Organised corruption is practised with impunity.

The infrastructure in our government schools tells the tale of the state of education in rural areas.

Funds earmarked by corporate bodies are sure to do wonders because every penny distributed is accounted for. The perceptible change in the quality will certainly be visible vis a vis government’s performance. Charitable hospitals and educational institutions set up by the renowned trusts have set an example worth emulating. More such Premjis are sure to revolutionise education and health services in rural areas.

KARNAIL SINGH, Kharar

Pre-schooling

‘Give me first six years of the child and I care not where he spends the rest’, says Prof Loyola of France. Early childhood is the most precious period for laying the foundation of a healthy citizen. Ira Joshi’s article ‘Redefining learning’ (February 26) tries to prove this contention with the help of research work. She rightly lays more stress on environment, though heredity also plays a part in building up the personality.

However, a school and home consider, erroneously, early childhood as attaining proficiency in 3 R’s (reading, writing, arithmetic). Learning at this stage needs redefining in consonance with traits of early childhood. Kindergarten and Montessori methods have a logically framed methodology. Creativity and critical thinking through playway activities should be given due importance.

This stage of life, being even more important than the primary stage, should be given utmost importance through well laid out syllabi, especially in view of a child’s future needs and purposeful training of teachers.

Dr S KUMAR, Panchkula

II

Ira Joshi has provided a timely caution to teachers and people who run pre-schools to pay more attention to kids who have a natural curiosity and tendency to ask questions. We often stifle their inquisitiveness by overloading them with facts and figures, using drill and practice, much before they are ready for them.

Every child has to develop his own spiral of learning centred on his special interests and absorb other skills. The teacher's duty is to inculcate an attitude of logical thinking, discovery and wonder unaided by modern funnels of education as much as possible.

In fact, this stage obviates even the use of books and pens but unfortunately, for lack of trained and devoted teachers, 3Rs intrude into the curriculum leaving the essential 4Cs --critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity' unattended, although it does not cost much.

Prof MOHAN SINGH, Amritsar