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Showing posts from 2024

Practical Learning at Schools

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  Practical Learning at Schools By Moqheeta Mehboob It was a significant day—the day you decided to contribute to the community, the next generation, and the betterment of humanity by starting a school. You worked tirelessly to ensure the highest quality of education and instill good morals in the students. However, as time passed, other priorities may have overshadowed some finer details. Yet, it is often these finer details that define our identity and purpose. I have a few simple, actionable suggestions that can be implemented at any school. These can help shape students into responsible, empathetic individuals. One for You as My Gratitude:   This is a heartwarming idea that could make a difference: dedicating one day each month when students bring an extra portion of lunch for the school’s support staff. This small act would mean a lot to the staff and instill a sense of gratitude in students. A different class could take turns each month to invite the staff for lunch...

NGOs and the Unintended Consequences of Women's Empowerment

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By Moqheeta Mehboob In her latest article, Ms Moqheeta Mehboob, an active participant in social development activities, reflects on a troubling trend she's observed: despite decades of dedicated work by NGOs and other organizations, many communities are seeing a decline in the effectiveness of these efforts. She delves into the unintended consequences of a singular focus on women's empowerment, highlighting how this has led to rising male dependency, increased family strain, and an imbalance in societal roles. Through her observations and experiences, she shares critical insights into why traditional approaches may be falling short and offers thoughtful, balanced solutions. Her proposed strategies aim to foster a more equitable and sustainable model of empowerment, emphasizing the need for both men and women to rise together for true societal progress. NGOs have been working tirelessly for decades to uplift the economic and social values of communities. However, despite these e...

CLASSROOM OBSERVATIONS

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by Moqheeta Mehboob Classroom observations can be an intimidating experience for any teacher, causing even the most skilled educators to underperform due to anxiety. However, these evaluations are crucial for the development of both schools and teachers. Without constructive feedback, performance becomes stagnant, potentially fostering harmful practices. Regular observations provide an opportunity for teachers to recognize mistakes, refine their approach, and grow professionally. Ultimately, they ensure the quality of teaching continues to improve, benefiting both educators and students. Classroom observations are only truly beneficial for teachers when the observer is skilled in the art of observing. A proficient observer knows how to identify both strengths and areas for improvement. Observation is a structured process that requires clarity on what to observe, how to conduct oneself during the session, and how to provide feedback afterward. A well-executed observation encourages teac...

IS ENGLISH EVERYTHING???

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  IS ENGLISH EVERYTHING? By Ms Moqheeta Mehboob I wanted to share some reflections from the school development programs I've been involved with, particularly regarding the use of language in the classroom. During these programs, I've noticed a recurring issue: the strict enforcement of English across all subjects, even when it's not the English language class. While I understand the intent behind this, I've seen how it can inhibit students from fully expressing their understanding and engaging deeply with the material. From my observations, when students are allowed to use their mother tongue, they participate more freely and demonstrate a clearer grasp of concepts. This aligns with what the NCERT also advocates—allowing students to respond in their mother tongue to ensure they can fully engage with the content. The focus, after all, should be on learning and understanding, not just on using correct English. The SCERT of Telangana has emphasized this in their guidelines...

WARM UPS - AN ESSENTIAL TEACHING TOOL by Moqheeta Mehboob

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WARM UP ACTIVITIES FOR STUDENTS I thoroughly enjoy the time spent with teachers during training sessions. It's not just about sharing new information and strategies; I also learn a great deal from the teachers themselves. In a recent session on lesson planning with a group of particularly engaging teachers, I found the discussions to be both enriching and inspiring. During this session, I highlighted the significance of incorporating warm-ups into every class period. Warm-ups play a crucial role in creating a positive and effective learning environment, and the teachers responded enthusiastically to this idea. I thought it would be valuable to share this with you all—because the more people benefit, the better! During a session on the components of lesson planning, I emphasized the importance of incorporating warm-ups into every class period. Warm-ups are vital for creating a positive and effective learning environment, and the teachers responded very positively to this part of the...

The Expanding Role of Schools: Creating a Community of Lifelong Learners

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by Moqheeta Mehboob T he primary purpose of schools is to impart education and build a community where everyone learns and progresses. Schools should inspire a love for the journey of gaining knowledge, but should their mission stop with their students? I believe that if schools sincerely aim to foster a thriving community, they should extend their circle of concern and provide education to all within their society. This includes students, teachers, and parents. Does this seem impossibly far-fetched? Would you worry about stretching school resources into other areas? Let's explore its practicality. Students: The Core Focus Schools already work very hard to ensure their students receive quality education and support. This foundation is strong and can serve as a model for expanding educational initiatives. Teachers: Elevating Educators Teachers are the backbone of any educational institution. However, schools sometimes hire teachers who are underqualified for their posts but possess ...