Knowledge Xchange to facilitate change in teaching metholody

Venkatachari Jagannathan
10 May 2007

Chennai: A group of like minded professionals from different walks of life but having one common denominator-alumni of city based Loyola College- have come together to give something back to the society. No. They are not involved in any charity but decided to focus their activity in the field of education and formed a trust called Knowledge Xchange.

"Most of us who are involved in the trust are alumni of Loyola College or students of Rev.Fr.Casimir Raj S.J, the current director, XLRI, Jamshedpur," says V A George a founder member of Knowledge Xchange also, president India Cements Capital Limited. According to him the idea is to do something that would change the way learning and teaching happen in Indian schools.

The group decided to launch the trust coinciding with the completion of 50 years as a teacher by Fr Raj.

Speaking about the trust George says, "Ours is not a forum claiming a solution for the problems in the classroom. We will act as a catalyst in bringing about a change in the way students are taught in the schools."

It is a known fact that students are under immense pressure to score high marks in their exams as their future depends on it.. However the exam and the marking system do not actually test whether the student has understood the basic principles and his ability to apply the same in a practical situation. "Unlike us, the present generation children have lost their childhood. Today the emphasis is on rot learning.," adds Anuradha Parakkat, a trust member.

As a result one can hear corporates complaining that many Indian graduates are not employable.