TN Govt's special magazines for Teachers and Students

Chennai: Tamilnadu Education Department released a fortnight Magazine called "Thenchittu" exclusively for school children. The Education Department in Tamilnadu is setting trends in the country by introducing so many schemes continuously since the DMK took over the Government. The Changes that keep on coming are indeed very healthy for the educational scenario of the state.

CM Stalin transforming Government Schools:

Since MK Stalin started to lead the Government, he has been continuously working in transforming the status of Government Schools. He even visited Delhi Government Schools last year to get a better understanding of various formats of education. CM Stalin's schemes revamped government schools into more vibrant centres of various co-curricular activities along with education. 'Vaanavil Mandram', 'Ennum Eluthum', and 'Naan Mudhalvan' schemes were implemented.

Students are becoming creators instead of just being rank holders. To make students more creative, the Education Department of the state launched three magazines for the benefit of Students and Teachers. 'Thenchittu' and 'Puthu Oonjal' are for the Students whereas 'kanavu Aasiriyar' is for the Teachers. This concept of launching magazines is totally new to educational institutions. Tamilnadu is a pioneer in the country for introducing monthly magazines for School Teachers.

Educationalists and Social workers are discussing this scheme very widely. Writer Sa. Tamilselvan says, "Magazines act as the best Organisers. It consists of so much information that will be new to our children. All these are the most essential knowledge for any school-going child. Seeing Science articles in these magazines is bringing joy to me".

Questioning is the beginning of Knowledge:

The writer adds that "In these Children Magazines, many articles, stories and paintings/drawings were contributed by students themselves. Very many Teachers shared their teaching techniques which succeeded in their classroom through the Teacher's Magazine. Even teachers are gaining much experience and knowledge through this Magazine".

Educationalist Vasanthi Devi shares, "Tamilnadu Education Department is working constantly to bring healthy changes to the system. One such great initiative is launching Magazines for Children and Teachers, through the education department itself. To develop School children's artistic knowledge there are 'Thenchittu' and 'Puthu Oonjal'. In the same way for teachers 'Kanavu Aasiriyar' magazine.

A good education should kindle the hunger for knowledge. It should raise the ability of Questioning. These magazines serve the major purpose of enabling the students to know themselves, to know what is happening around them and providing access to worldly knowledge.

Firstly, Education should aid the students to develop the habit of reading. Secondly, it should improve reading skills. Thirdly, it should enable a student to share what he/she learned. This is the best way to create friendships. This will rise the ability of Questioning and improve their knowledge. I hope that all these three Magazines will serve their purpose continuously".

This 'Thenchittu' magazine teaches the art of origami. It provides detailed explanations to create sculptures of animals or birds through paper cutting/ folding techniques. For younger children, the "varieties of flowers" segment is highly admirable.

Puzzles with words:

To create interest in learning new words, there is a "Connecting words" section. Students are getting more enthusiastic while solving the puzzles and at the same time learning many new words. Other than these sections, there are Riddles and Chutti Stories sections.

Headmistress Parameshwari shares, "The highlight of these magazines is that they come in both Tamil and English languages. These three magazines are aiding in developing knowledge of both languages simultaneously. In today's scenario, students are unable to read anything outside of their own syllabus books. This issue will get resolved through these magazines launched by the government".

Teacher Gunasekaran shares his view on the Teachers' Magazine 'Kanavu Aasiriyar'. He says, "The format of education totally changed on a global level. A Teacher still cannot teach with the same traditional methods. This Teachers' magazine is enabling us to learn various new methods and formats of Teaching. All kinds of information related to education will be presented in a single magazine. There is no need for a teacher to surf around to learn something new. Every article is very engaging and impressive".

TN Education Minister Anbil Mahesh says, "The magazine 'Oonjal' is exclusively for students from Class 3 to Class 5. And 'Thencittu' magazine is for students from Class 6 to Class 9. For Teachers, we launched 'Kanavu Aasiriyar' magazine which is the first magazine in India exclusive for Teachers. The children's magazines are not only for publishing Students' contributions like stories, paintings, poetries and other such artistic works. Rather we planned to place Students who excel in creativity on the magazines' Board of Editors.

Education Department's Commissioner Nandakumar is planning to launch a scheme called the "Student writers programme' for students who excel in creative writing. There are many scientific explanations with pictures in the first edition like 'Why the Sky is blue?' and 'Why does a Candle's flame go out?'. There are even contributions from famous celebrity writers like Azha. Valliyappa.

Moreover, There are pictures depicting stories which explain the nutritional values of every food we consume in our day-to-day life. In 'Kanavu Aasiriyar' magazine, the 'Award-winning Green School' article is very impressive. The article on 'Book suggestions for Teachers' is recommendable.

Government's care for introvert children:

There are two types of students. Introverts and Extroverts. Both need different kinds of schooling and teaching methods. The Teachers' magazine is teaching teachers 'how to handle both types of students'. This article in the first edition is very thought-provoking.

In the same way, the article "Teaching methods in India Vs China" shares knowledgeable information on various teaching methods. These kinds of articles are enabling teachers to learn more about international teaching methods. This way each and every section is designed with high planning.