Date:11/09/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/09/11/stories/2004091104630400.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Minister for semester system in schools

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, SEPT. 10. The School Education Minister, N. Rajyalakshmi, opined that school students should not be burdened with examinations and favoured introduction of the semester system to reduce the burden.

US example

She was speaking after releasing a book "America Patham" - a compilation of stories on the American system of education by noted academic IIT Ramaiah, based on his experiences during his recent visit to the United States. She said there was no detention system in the US and that relieves the students of all the fears. "It was better to test the student throughout the year rather than with an examination at the end of the year. A similar method could be adopted for our children too," she opined.

She said Mr. Ramaiah had projected how the public school system in the US was flourishing, while in India private schools were more sought after. The views expressed by Mr. Ramaiah in the book and the suggestions made would be viewed seriously by the Government, she said adding that it would guide the Government in formulating the school education policies.

Mr. Ramaiah spoke on his experiences and changes that could be brought about in the school education system. I.V. Subba Rao, Secretary, School Education, B. Mohan Reddy, president, PRTU, A. Narasimha Reddy, president, APTF, Anantharamulu, president, STU, and Gangadhar, State secretary, DTF, were among those present.